Best Effort

God doesn't need my best effort to make faith work.
You don't accept Christ as Savior and then give Christianity your best effort.
Jesus on the Cross said, "It is Finished."
He didn't say, "My part is finished, now it's your turn..."

I need to let go of my self-effort in trying to make it work and focus on believing the promises in His Word and trusting in the Risen Life of Christ in my life- letting Him work through me.

Sounds so easy.  But it is the hardest thing to do, at least for me.  I keep coming back to this concept in my faith walk.  Will I ever get it?

I remember the first time I tried reading through the bible.  I made it through the book of Judges and quit.  I got so sick and tired of the stupid Israelites turning away from God...years later, I can see similar patterns in my own life.  I'm no better than they were.  I continually leave God behind...partially I believe is because I do not seek Him first.  Unfortunately He becomes an after-thought or a routine rather than my best friend and my Lord I serve.  Forgive me, Lord and teach me!