It has evolved into a distateful word in the Christian lexicon. A word we feel guilty about. Over the years, I’ve dismissed and disparaged it, too. 

What word am I referring to? 

“Striving.” 

We’ve turned the word “striving” into something almost sinister and sinful. I’ve written blog post after blog post saying “wise” things like, “May we not strive, but surrender.”

Yet, in so quickly banishing striving from our Christian walk, have we overcorrected ourselves and diluted the high cost of following Christ? While we may not sanction licentiousness, in steering clear of legalism, have we excused lethargy? In dismissing “productivity” as worldly, have we spiralled into passivity?

Here’s the thing: we are called to do hard things (Acts 14:22). We are called to carry our cross daily (Matthew 16:24). We are called to be trained in godliness (1 Tim 4:7). We are called to contend for the faith (Jude 1:3). 

That, to me, sounds like striving. Not in our own strength—but in dependence on God.

Friend, can we redeem and reclaim that term, “striving”? 

Scripture commands us to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. Not in a futile attempt to find meaning apart from God. But because God works in us to fulfill His good purpose. (Phil 2:11-12)

Jesus did it all when He paid in full for our sins that we might share an eternal relationship with Him. What a freeing truth! Yet, in being set free from earning our way to God, have we slipped into a Christianity that is convenient and not costly? 

Have we become like the third servant in the Parable of the Talents, who is given a great treasure, yet is content with storing it in a hole and putting his feet up? (Matt 24:14-30)

This new year, can we echo the words of the apostle Paul as he writes: 

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.” (Phil 3:13-14)

We strain forward. We strive. Against the current. Against the headwinds. Against every opposing force.  

You and I have a race to run. A race marked out for us. A race that can be uphill. But, as Paul says, everyone who competes in the games goes into “strict training.” He encourages us with these words: “Run in such a way as to get the prize.” (1 Corinth 9:25)

Striving, of course, is deeply nuanced. In Revelation 2, God first commends the Ephesian church for their hard work and diligence. But then He admonishes them because they have forgotten their first love.

Their hard work wasn’t a bad thing. It was the why of their work that God rebukes them for. They were busy with their own agendas in their own strength for their own glory.

So what is redemptive striving? It is holy effort rooted in the love and power of God. It is doing the things that draw us into nearness with God and toward Christ-likeness. For me, it is the discipline of waking up early to spend time with Jesus. It is stewarding my body so I can serve Him well. It is seeing time as a gift from Him, so I don’t squander it scrolling. It is doing difficult things that draw me closer to Jesus. 

Which brings us to the why.

The why of our striving is not to prop ourselves up or pat ourselves on our backs for our productivity or performance. It is to glorify God. Hard work is not an end in itself. Being a productive person is not the goal. Sharing those glowing stats on LinkedIn is not the aim. We strive to magnify God in response to what He has done for us. It is a sacred striving.

And finally, the how of our striving. We hold tight to the Lord through every task that He calls us to. We remind ourselves that it is not in our strength but wholly in His resurrection power that is at work within us. We trust that in our weakness, His strength is made perfect. 

So, dear friend, may we see that the Christian journey is not a stroll but a race. And may we run that race with grit sustained by grace. 

 

Lean In

Gracious Father, In response to Your great love in sending Your only Son to rescue and redeem us, may I work out my salvation with fear and trembling. I don’t want to be drawn into the hustle culture, but I long for a gritty faith that goes the distance. May I never confuse sloth with surrender because surrender doesn’t look like passivity. So, Father, help me strive in Your strength. Empower me through Your Spirit to strain forward to take hold of the prize for which You called me heavenward. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

 

 

 

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