Sometimes it Takes Effort

2 Peter 1:5-7
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 

She hit the volleyball over the net. 

Eight young ladies made up the team. They’d been practicing about twice a week for the last several weeks. On a hot Saturday in August, six of them took the floor in a middle school gym. My youngest granddaughter stood in the front row, prepared to try this new sport. 

We watched from the bleachers as they served the ball and occasionally volleyed it back and forth. I’ve enjoyed watching volleyball since my daughters, Sara and Hannah, played in high school. Now Sara’s youngest stood at the net. 

These girls worked hard to return the volleys, serve the ball well, and support their team. As they rotated in and out, each girl took her turn. They defeated the first team they played but lost with grace to the second one. I beamed with a grandmother’s pride that Ella Cate tried something new and that all the girls put in the effort to practice and play.

Peter talks about making an effort in chapter one of his second book. Instead of a physical effort, he addresses a spiritual effort to add goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, mutual affection, and love to their faith. 

As believers, we’re called to do the same. 

School begins for many in the coming weeks. This is a good reminder to teach our children to strengthen their faith and carry these tools with them into the classroom. Remind them as I remind myself to be kind and compassionate. 

Sometimes it takes effort to love God and people, but it’s well worth it.