On September 12, 1962, President John F. Kennedy delivered a speech at Rice University in Houston, Texas, about the difficult challenges facing the nation. He also shared his passion for the United States to place a man on the moon.
In balancing the needs of his people with the desire to conquer space, Kennedy said, We choose to go to the moon in this decade. We choose to go to the moon and do the other things, not because they are easy but because they are hard. The nation responded. Seven years later, Neil Armstrong took a giant leap for mankind in July of 1969, by walking on the moon.
Todays world is filled with energy-saving devices that make life easier, but there is something to be said for embracing lifes challenges. The apostle Paul found serving Christ hard, but he didnt see it as a cause for discouragement. He continued to focus on Christ, and wrote, We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair (2 Cor. 4:8). Paul knew that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you (v.14). The goal was worth the pain.
By the grace of God, may we commit to serving Jesusnot just when its easy, but when its hard.
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