“Keep Striving”

The English word “strive,” means “to make great effort, to try very hard.”  So, in our life with God, should we strive or be at rest? Actually, as odd as this sounds, we should strive to be at rest.  There is a striving that leads to rest and there is a striving that wears us out.  For example, if we are trying very hard to gain God’s approval, we’ll get worn out.  We’ll always wonder if we have done enough.  On the other hand, if we make great effort to understand the gospel and believe it, we can be at rest knowing that in Christ we are dearly loved children of the Most High God.  Here is another example.  If you are reading this, you are most likely already saved.  However, there may be some things that you are “striving” about.  Maybe you are grasping for security or clamoring for attention or working to get control of a situation.  You’re probably worn out.  There is a better way, but even people that have believed God for a forever life with Him often miss out on present life with Him.  Striving to enjoy His life now means active obedience to whatever you know to do while leaving the timing and the outcomes in God’s hands.  That will take some work.  You’ll need to dedicate time to reading God’s Word so you can get to know Him better.  You’ll need to set aside some time to pray so you know how to apply the Word to your particular situation.  And, you’ll need to train yourself to rest in God’s grace.  So, there is a strife that is unhealthy and there is a striving that is necessary.  “Let us strive to enter His rest.”