You invested?

Flip Wilson used to quip, "You can't expect to hit the jackpot if you don't put a few nickels in the machine." This could be said of our 'investment' into our spiritual growth, as well. We need to 'put something into it' if we are to get as much out of it as Jesus intends! We aren't going to grow by osmosis or just by hearing a once-a-week sermon. We must put forth the effort to glean God's message to us from his Word, listen intently during times of worship and prayer, and then act upon what he brings to our attention. 

You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. (Matthew 22:37 NLT)

Heart, soul, and mind all engaged - no part of us left out in this pursuit. Devotion to God does indeed engage one's mind, but it also engages one's heart. In turn, one's actions begin to be changed - little by little, until we see an overwhelming transformation in our character. The change we might just be longing for is right there, but we have to invest in the change if we are to see it happen. While Jesus could change us without any of our effort, we likely wouldn't appreciate the change quite as much.

A spoiled child is one who receives everything on a silver platter, never having to really work for what one receives at all. If you are anything like me, you might want to be 'spoiled' a bit at times, but in general, both you and I will have to put for the 'work' necessary to see the change we desire. Why? It makes us aware of what got us to the place where change was actually needed. If God simply waved a magic wand and 'poof' we were totally 'fixed' with no hangups, hurts, or habits that needed 'work', would we be inclined to stay 'fixed'?

Not likely. Truly 'fixed' people aren't inclined to return to those hurts, hangups or habits when they have had to put forth the effort to overcome those things, are they? They know the momentary 'good feeling' that came from giving into those things left a lifetime of 'guilt' and 'shame'. If we receive our 'fixing' on a silver platter, exerting absolutely no effort of our own, we might just think we could get that 'fix' anytime we needed it, so we could just keep on allowing those negative character traits to emerge. Engage with Jesus for even a few moments each day and you will soon realize the 'fix' isn't really 'done' until we invest in it. Just sayin!