It’s Worth It

Almost a week has passed since we ended our fabulous trip around the Baltic Sea and began the long journey home. The trip home was long and tiring, but the jet lag is worth it for all that we saw and experienced.

Just one week ago, we were touring the Aland Islands off the coast of Finland. The next day we were in Stockholm, Sweden, with views like this one:

On this trip we visited places I had never seen, and some I had never even heard of before. This remains one of my favorite photos of the trip:

This was taken from our ship as we were docked in the village of Eidfjord, Norway. The fjords are stunning, with their crystal clear water reflecting the mountains and sky above.

We had a fabulous trip. And now we are in re-entry mode. Dealing with jet lag. And mountains of laundry. Trying to figure out what time it is. Getting back into normal routines. It’s hard work. But it’s worth it.

That’s true of so many things in life, isn’t it? Being a parent is hard work, but it’s worth it. Mastering a skill like playing the piano or learning how to throw a good curve ball is hard work. But it’s worth it. Achieving a fitness goal or a health goal or any other goal is hard work. But it’s worth.

The same can be said about living the Christian life. Maintaining the disciplines of the Christian life - prayer, Bible reading, worship, faithful church attendance, among others - might be considered to be hard things. They require commitment. Discipline. Focus. Determination. 

But it’s worth it!

“Therefore, since we have so great a could of witnesses surrounding us [so many examples of faithful men and women who have lived the Christian life], let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfected of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:1-2 NASB, emphasis mine)