Acts 14:22
Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
The kingdom of God is not made any less meaningful by being made difficult to reach; but is made, in fact, all the more glorious. It isn't enjoyed for the exclusion of others, but for the satisfaction of persevering to its gates. The finish line is admired by all, but it is only enjoyed by those who actually cross it.
Winning isn't worth it if anyone can do it. Hard work makes winning worth while. The attraction of achieving greatness is breathing the rare air of those who sucked the wind of adversity long enough to get there. The summit is admired by all, but it is only enjoyed by those who reach it.
Hard things are entered into for the joy of achieving them. A man endeavors to reach the South Pole precisely because it is difficult. A man sets out to become a Navy Seal because he knows how hard it will be. Those who've run 26.2 miles often announce it with stickers on their back windows precisely because of how hard it was. They want you to know that while you're both in cars at the moment, they could be running. No one counters with a "I walked around the block once" sticker, unless they're being cheeky. Difficulty makes a destination all the more delightful for having arrived there, not less.
"If you do one good deed your reward usually is to be set to do another and harder and better one." -- C. S. Lewis, The Horse and His Boy
The kingdom of God is not achieved through one difficult duty or decision. It is gained through many trials and much tribulation, not because it isn't worth it, but because it is... and only those who hold out and hold on will reach it, but all those who do, enjoy it.
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