Worth the Effort

Image by ToniVC via Flickr

Some things take effort and time to get to. Sometimes the effort one has to expend to accomplish the targeted task is simply not worth it. Other times the effort, while great, results in a huge payoff.

I can think of so many things in my life that fit into one of those two camps. Can't you?

What prompted me to think along these lines was the 10+ hour drive (one-way) to visit my parents. For many that would be too far to travel to see someone. But for me, it wouldn't matter how far away they are, I would do whatever I needed to get to spend time with them.

If I were to make a list of all the things in my life that have been - or are currently - worth the effort, it would be long. The funny part is, there are many things that used to be on that list that are no longer worth the effort. I look back on those things and inwardly think, "Why did I make that choice? WHAT was I thinking?!"

Wisdom and maturity, which continues to grow each passing day, have reset my focus on things that truly matter. Combine that with a daily, personal relationship with our living, loving Lord and you'll see things from a different perspective like none other.

Two random, but current examples for me, are scuba diving and cycling. They are both labor intensive in their own ways. But each brings a pay-off that is definitely worth it.

What about you? What do you consider worth the effort? I challenge you to examine the things you expend your energy on and determine if they are worth it.