Living in the rapid progression of today’s world is like being a little fish swimming against a powerful tide: it takes extreme effort and persistence even to stay where we are, and a single pause could cause us to be swept away quite easily.
When we see that our environment does not change regardless of whether we choose to adhere strictly to God’s laws or be lenient with them, it becomes harder to engage in this daily struggle upward. We begin to ask: What’s the point of trying so hard to reach God’s standard?
Is it really worth going against the tide?
Swept away by the world
The rich young ruler in Mk 10:17-22 showed immense potential in his faith, observing God’s commandments from his youth and actively seeking to inherit eternal life. Many of us might have been just like him once – whether we grew up in church or discovered our faith later – full of enthusiasm and determination to discover more about God’s word and His promises for us.
It was therefore a great shame when he decided that taking up the cross and following Jesus wasn’t worth losing his great possessions. He was so close to obtaining the promise of eternal life, only to forsake it because he could not bear to part with what was precious to him at that moment.
It is easy to think, “I’m willing to give up whatever I have to follow Jesus,” until we are actually required to give up our comfort, our time, and our personal interests. While the world persuades us that we are entitled to these things, the cross demands that we walk away from the world’s beckoning, going against our natural instincts to run towards whatever brings us immediate satisfaction.
To stand against the tide, we must diligently weed out the thorns – the “cares, riches and pleasures of life” (Lk 8:14) that threaten to choke our faith. But how do we find the strength to do so?
Why seek His way?
In Jn 6, a multitude of followers turned away from Jesus out of disappointment and unmet earthly expectations. To this, Jesus asked the twelve disciples solemnly: “Do you also want to go away?” (Jn 6:67)
May Simon Peter’s poignant response serve as a reminder and encouragement for us: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” (Jn 6:68)
When the cares of this world appeal to us more than our pursuit of faith, let us remember this sobering truth: though the narrow way is much less compelling to walk in, there is simply nowhere else we can go that leads to true life (Mt 7:13).
Is it worth it? What’s the point? It is worth it: Heaven’s the point.
