JULY162026

I used to have a poster in college: “The truth will set you free …. but first it will make you miserable.” Or, do you remember the old exercise routine with the tag line: “No pain, no gain.” Or the song: “I never promised you a rose garden.” These are different ways of expressing the truth that in this life effort is demanded to achieve a goal. The Bible knows that truth. The prophet Isaiah says growing in God is like the pains of childbirth. Jesus says, that we have to take up his yoke. But the Bible adds to that human truth the divine reality that the effort called for does not depend on our strength, ability alone. Instead we are given divine help on the way.  “The way of the just is smooth; the path of the just you make level,” says the prophet. “My yoke is easy, and my burden light,” Jesus promises. Jesus has hitched his wagon to ours so that together we can achieve the life and love we seek.