“Over the years I’ve learned a simple lesson: pay now or pay more later. It’s true in every area of life.”- John Eldredge
As John Eldredge concludes the Summer section of Walking with God, he notes there’s a part of us that doesn’t want to be disturbed. Not even when that information will save us later on. John sees this as a universal dilemma. Using a car analogy, John quips that “we don’t want to have a look under the hood.”
Hence, what we desperately need to know, we don’t want to know. Also, John states this isn’t a good quality and is not our friend. It all boils down to resisting inconvenience. Yet, to experience God and the life He offers, we must intentionally take a look under the hood. John summarizes:
“When I choose to avoid whatever it is God has brought up, something in me weakens. Something feels compromised. It is at least a refusal to mature. But it also feels like a refusal to step toward God. Thankfully, the opposite is true. When I choose to face the uncertain, admit the neglect, or enter into my fears, something in me grows up a little bit. I feel strengthened. The scales tip toward a closer walk with God.”
However, John observes, there’s one truth about how we handle these moments. There’s no getting to it later. The moment simple goes away. Therefore, we walk with God today, in the moment, by going with that moment as it unfolds. John stresses that’s the only way we’ll have any real relationship with Jesus Christ.
In conclusion, Mr. Eldredge advises us to focus on what God is giving to us, not what He isn’t giving. We must let go of our demanding posture that life needs to come to us on our terms.
Today’s question: How has the author’s simple lesson- pay now or pay more later- played out in your life? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “A fundamental reorientation”
