Continuing to Talk with Two Hands

We've been meditating on the idea that "it takes two hands to think Hebraically."

Last week we talked about how on the one hand 'some beats none.' In other words, anything is way better than nothing. You may be in a season in life where hour long devotions or study is just not feasible. That's ok. Can you spend 5 minutes in the Word of God? Can you get on your knees for 5 minutes and talk to God before the day gets crazy? Something is better than nothing.

But on the other hand… growth takes time, effort, and energy.
What if I told you that I had figured out a way to get a fit and trim physique without really working out? (and for a few minutes let's forget about the medicines that are now available) What if I told you that you could gain muscle and lose weight without any blood, sweat, or tears? 

You wouldn't believe me at all would you. Of course you have to put in the effort to grow muscle. Of course it takes time and energy. Muscles do not just grow big and strong by themselves; they need to be challenged, pushed, and worked. If I said to you that you could grow more muscle mass just by thinking about it, by wanting to, by hoping a lot, and assuming it would happen, you would rightly roll your eyes and move on with your day.

Yet how often do we assume the same thing about our spiritual muscles? How often do we assume the same thing about our understanding of the Word of God?

When it comes to the study of Scripture, the more you put in the more you get out.

Wrestling with the Word of God is a good thing. Read its pages and take it seriously. How can God say this? What does God mean here? Why did God allow that and do this? How can you expect to grow, if you are not willing to put in the time and effort? How can you expect change, if you are too busy to stop and sit at the feet of Jesus?

We rightly understand that physical health requires something of me. I have to make sacrifices and sometimes choose what I don't want. It takes effort on my part and intentional choices of what's better versus what sounds easy. It is the same with spiritual health. It requires choosing what's best over what's convenient. Getting up 20 minutes earlier even though I slept poorly the night before. Turning off the screen and opening up my Bible. Ignoring the voices on social media to take time to listen to the voice of God.

Similar to physical growth, spiritual growth can be slow, tedious, and not exciting. But it will happen. Put in the time and effort. Be intentional. Challenge yourself. And see what God will do in response.