When I was in secondary school, I struggled with English Language and Literature. Not because it was hard, but mainly because I did not put much effort into it. I liked Maths and Art, which were the subjects I put most of my effort into. As the GCSE exam period approached, I remembered reading a comment from my English teacher, which read something like this “This piece of work was excellent, if only you finished it, you would have received an A”.
At that point, something stirred in me to put some effort into my English work. With a little time towards the exams, I went to all the revision lessons and I started to try. When results day came, I had received a double C grade, which was my worst grade.
However, it was the grade I was most pleased with more than Art and Maths (my two favorite subjects). I knew if I had put more effort, I would have received a better grade. So those few months, I had worked hard to achieve a grade most people will think is average, but I was happy.
The bible says about Jesus speaking in parables:
The Reason for the Parables
10 And the disciples came up and said to him, “Why do you speak to them in parables?” 11 And he answered and said to them, “To you, it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to those people, it has not been granted. 12 For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have an abundance. But whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. 13 For this reason I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand, 14 and with reference to them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled that says,
“You will listen carefully and will never understand,
and you will look closely and will never perceive.
15 For the heart of this people has become dull,
and with their ears, they hear with difficulty,
and they have shut their eyes,
so that they would not see with their eyes
and hear with their ears
and understand with their heart
and turn, and I would heal them.”
16 But your eyes are blessed because they see, and your ears because they hear. 17 For truly I say to you that many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it!
Parables are hard to understand, and Jesus points out that we don’t hear because we don’t want to hear. However, we can get the most enjoyment from the things we accomplish that are hard, rather than things that come easy.
So if you are finding it difficult to understand, or to find time to write the devotion, I encourage you because you will feel joy when you overcome the challenges and share what the Lord has revealed to you.
Let’s keep persevering, and not be put off by the difficult things because it’s a human fact. We are more joyful and appreciative when we overcome difficult times.
PS.
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Thanks you for sharing the Mike, always a blessing 🙏🏾. You’re right about the fact that we get so much joy in achieving those things that are challenging to us, so best not put it off, but just do it!