I have known some people in my lifetime who are amazingly capable. They can learn something very quickly, with very little effort.
I have also known some who have had to work harder than most to achieve the same results.
The difference in the two is, when the one to whom things come easily faces a trial, they are more apt to give up than the one who has learned to persevere.
Yet we, as a culture are more fascinated by the "naturals."
I wonder if in our admiration we have it backwards.
Reading Luke 18 today,
"Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. He said: "In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, 'Grant me justice against my adversary.'
"For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, 'Even though I don't fear God or care what people think, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won't eventually come and attack me!'"
And the Lord said, "Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?" - luke 18-1-8 (NIV)
When it comes to the things we pray for, do we give up too easily? When Jesus comes into our situation, will he find us with faith?
