"Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:13-14)

Effort is important. I used to tell my students that all the time. As a teacher, I was always puzzled and frustrated by gifted students or athletes that didn't try very hard. On the other hand, I was always inspired by students who weren't that talented but worked hard to achieve success. These students did not always get A's and B's on their report cards, but they studied hard. They weren't always starters on the basketball team, but they practiced with great diligence. Given the choice between working with one kind of student or the other, I would take those who were diligent any day.

Growing as a Christian takes effort. Your salvation is signed, sealed, and delivered. No amount of effort could earn you a place in heaven. But your life of sanctification is a different story. In order to put your life in line with God's holy will, you need to think about it all the time. And you have to do the things that will strengthen your faith.

It takes effort to get to church on a weekly basis. Through the liturgy in the worship service you hear the two things that you need to hear all the time: one, that you are a desperate sinner and two, that you have a Savior who loves you and gave His life for you. Your sins have been taken away and you have a place reserved in heaven. These days many churches offer multiple opportunities to worship God. If you cannot worship on Sunday morning, you can attend services on a different day.

It takes effort to keep God's Word in your life on a daily basis. Think of the many things that seem so important and yet tend to distract you from reading God's Word: TV shows, phone conversations, computer time, jobs, and sleep. What could be more important than five or ten quiet minutes in the morning or evening reading God's word or an inspiring chapter from a book based on God's word?

It takes effort also to let your light shine in the community. Certainly there is a senior citizen in your neighborhood that would enjoy some company once in a while. Would not your boss appreciate it if you did a little extra on the job each day? Surely your parents would love it if you helped out around the house once in a while.

Effort is important. Like Paul, let us strain toward what is ahead and press on! God will bless our efforts in His kingdom put forth out of faith and love for Jesus.

Daniel Madson is a former school teacher and now a member of Abiding Shepherd Lutheran Church in Cottage Grove, Wisconsin.