Saturday evening at supper, we were talking around the table about the first week of school. As I was stuffing my face with a steak and cheese sub, Tucker was talking about how he made a 100 on his first history test the day before. He was excited and talked about how he had really studied and even though the teacher said they could use their notes, he didn’t need to…because he had studied and prepared for it. Now, let me preface by saying the kid is super smart. He is taking high school classes in 8th grade, but he has never been one to study. He’s always made good grades, but I told both kids before school started I really wanted to see them “be the best”, because I know they are capable of it. Both of my kids are smart…they just don’t want to apply themselves. The generation we are raising is lazy and entitled and would rather dance on videos for likes, while their laundry is piled up in the background and their homework is left undone. Sad part is, we made them that way.
Okay, back to my story. After Tucker tells me about making that 100 on his test, he says with the straightest face, “Did you know that when you study, it makes the test so much easier?” I tried to contain my loud exaggerated, “DUUHHHH!” in the almost empty restaurant as we all started laughing. He was so serious as he had realized how much easier things would be for him if he prepared for it. Now, I know he knows this. He is 13 years old, but I believe it was an “ah-ha! moment” in which he seen the reward for actually putting in effort with his studies, instead of just taking for granted that he was smart. When his work was examined, he wasn’t ashamed with his grade like I seen last year with some of the challenging classes he was taking.
I thought on that whole conversation a lot the last day and the Holy Spirit impressed upon me that I am just like my lazy and entitled teenager most days. Ouch!
I can do often take for granted what Jesus did for me on the cross. I am lazy and entitled when it comes to my relationship with God at times. It’s much easier to read a book, scroll Facebook or watch Andy Griffith than it is to study God’s word or pray for someone who has earnestly asked for prayer. We aren’t dumb as believers. We know what we are called to do in this life, yet we sit and twiddle our thumbs and refuse to apply ourselves to honoring our Lord with our whole lives, because it requires letting go of things that are hindering our growth and relationship with Him.
Did you know that when we know the Word of God and apply it to our lives, it makes life much easier? Tomorrow is a lot less stressful when you make plans for today. Tomorrow isn’t promised, but I believe God honors preparation. As a believer in the finished work of Calvary, we have a hope and the sad part is, we miss the fact that there is more to this life than just getting out of hell. This life isn’t a test, but we are to study and show ourselves approved…meaning living a life that is diligent in its service to God.
The Bible warns us that the work of each Christians will be examined at the judgement seat of Christ. Therefore, we should be motivated to work for the Lord so we won’t be embarrassed when we stand before Him. I know I don’t want to spend this life working for myself and be ashamed when I stand before my Lord. We all want to hear, “well done”…not an exaggerated “DUHHHH!”, because we know we could have don’t more for the Lord and didn’t.
