How easy it is to choose what’s easy! Most Christians these days, like the rest of the world, seem to be chasing what’s comfortable and pleasurable in life. As soon as anything causes us the slightest bit of discomfort, we run away. As soon as something is no longer enjoyable, we abandon it. Chasing comfort and pleasure leaves us empty and dissatisfied, and it’s distracting us from what really matters.

If we want to grow in holiness, the only way to do that is to “run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God” (Heb 12:1-2). We have to keep our eye on the real prize, not get distracted by the shiny, temporary comforts of life. What we’re really longing for is eternity—an eternity of joy with God and each other. The only way to get there is to pick up our cross daily and follow Jesus so that we, too, can persevere for the joy set before us. This may not be easy, but it’s eternally worth the temporary discomfort we’ll suffer to attain the prize of heaven. Suffering doesn’t have to be forever, but joy certainly can be.