Make every effort

“Make every effort.” Peter repeats the phrase in his second letter.  Several times.

And in the conclusion, he combines it with an unexpected word. Counter-intuitive.  

“Therefore, dear friends, while you wait for these things, make every effort to be found without spot or blemish in His sight, at peace.” 2 Peter 3:14

Make every effort. While you wait.

Walking, we wait

Listen to the prophet Isaiah.

“Yes, Lord, walking in the way of Your laws, 
we wait for You;
Your name and renown
are the desire of our hearts.”
Isaiah 26:8 NIV

Yes, Lord. This comes first. 

Then, walking in obedience, we wait for the Lord. 

All of it. The yes, the walking, the waiting. 

All of it for His glory.

Waiting, we walk

Make every effort reminds me. Discipline is necessary. 

Required, actually.

Not sitting around. Or coasting toward eternity on cruise-control.

But making every effort as we wait for the Day of the Lord. 

For the new heavens and the new earth. 

And when we get there? Righteousness will dwell without opposition. Effortless.

Branch and Vine

The branch knows. 

Security, life, and fruitfulness are absolutely dependent. On the vine. 

And as believers, we grow in understanding this truth. 

Only through the Vine can we live. Move. And have our being. We are in Christ. Christ is in us through the Holy Spirit. 

Without Him, we can do nothing. 

Make every effort

So, make every effort to abide in Christ. Day by day. 

Through prayer and the Word. In fellowship with other believers. Serving for His glory. 

While we wait.

“Not that I have already reached the goal or am already perfect, but I make every effort to take hold of it because I also
have been taken hold of by Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 3:12

What about you?

Have you ever struggled to make every effort while you wait? What does your daily dependence on the Vine look like?

Related posts

Waiting, we worship – Walking, we wait – Waiting for the Lord – Yes, Lord – Obedience – The long obedience – As for me – Full light of day – 

John 15 – Isaiah 26:8 – Philippians 3:12 – 2 Peter 1:5 – 2 Peter 1:10 – 2 Peter 1:15 – 2 Peter 3:14 –