REPOSTED from Anvil of Grace 2012 

Have you ever seen the Staples EASY Button?  I think it quite hilarious that they actually sell them…and a fantastic marketing technique.  I mean, isn’t that what we all want?  Things to be easy?   Press that Easy Button (SMACK!) and whatever you need accomplished is ready and waiting.  Wouldn’t it be fabulous if that actually worked in areas of life other than copy machines.  (Actually, I’ve been an administrative assistant and teacher for too long to believe even making copies is always easy!) 

I was thinking about that in the car the other day – the desire for things to be easy.  How many of us want things to be perfect right off the bat, or follow a script we have in our heads (that we invariably never tell the other main actors about…hence many dropped lines), or achieve greatness without hard work and effort?  I’m guilty.  I have.  Why do we do it?  Laziness?  Yep, sometimes.  This would be why get rich quick schemes are so tempting to many people.   Sense of Entitlement?  Maybe.  Lack of Character?  Sometimes. 

I started thinking about why I want to hit the easy button.  Many times, it is because of pain, frustration, and (for me) often because of fear.  Fear is sneaky that way.  What do I mean by that?  If I don’t work hard for something, if I just SMACK the easy button, the pressure is off:  Failure isn’t an issue.   I waited to write that paper or study for that test until the last minute so, if I don’t do well, it’s no big deal.  If I had actually worked hard and flunked, then I would feel terrible.  I think fear sometimes urges us to only play games we can win, only try to do things we think we can be successful at and not take chances.  I wonder how many auditions I didn’t go on, jobs I didn’t apply for and relationships I didn’t pursue because I was afraid…and they weren’t easy.   

Another sneaky reason for smacking the easy button?  I think many Christians fall into the trap of thinking, “If it’s easy, it’s God’s will and open door.  If I’m having to work at it, it wasn’t meant to be and is not God’s will.” Um…Really?  Matthew 7:13 seems to squelch that idea in general (and about Salvation specifically), “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.”    

I’m going to go out on a limb and say, we were not promised everything would be easy.  In fact, taking the easy way can lead to lack of depth, value and understanding.  What fabulous things in life come in a completely easy way?  

I’ve been watching the Olympics.  I am amazed by the amount of time and dedication these athletes have put into becoming competitors.  Even though many may be naturally talented, that wasn’t easy.   

My grandparents are getting ready to celebrate their 60^th wedding anniversary!  In a world full of unfaithfulness and easy divorces, they stuck together and stuck to the Lord.  Even though they love each other, living with someone for 60 years isn’t always easy!   

Some of my best relationships haven’t been easy to begin or maintain.  One of my best friends yelled at me the first time we met (which is a funny story now).  Good relationships take communication, understanding and forgiveness, which can be difficult.  Taking the easy way in any relationship just ends with shallowness.   

Even salvation isn’t easy.  Sometimes, I sit in awe of how fabulous my God is and how much He has done to allow me the opportunity to accept Him as my Savior and be His child.  I couldn’t do that if He hadn’t paid a great price for me.  Salvation comes from payment on a cross.  It was never about easy. 

And then what are Christians called to do?  Take up our cross and follow Him. We aren’t talking about a gold chain with a plus sign on it….we are talking the real deal.  We were even warned.  John 15:20, “Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.”  

It is therefore my conclusion that easy isn’t really valuable.  Choosing the easy way is like looking for fool’s gold instead of the real thing.  It seems like you’ve got something glittery and cool, but you didn’t do the work to get the thing of real value.   Real gold doesn’t glitter at you, it shines; and it’s harder to find!   When I think of the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness and self-control), none of them look like they come without effort.  So much so that people often refuse to even pray for the fourth on the list!   

I see value in the greatness of God and His revelation through scripture and nature.  How intricate and detailed that is!  I see value in friendships and marriages that stand up to pressure and time.  I see value in working for an education, for job opportunities, and in ministry.  I see value in pursuing righteousness.  I find value in a work of art.   

I guess I just don’t think the easy button is as fabulous as it’s designed to be.  It reminded me of a C.S. Lewis quote.  “It may be hard for an egg to turn into a bird: it would be a jolly sight harder for it to learn to fly while remaining an egg. We are like eggs at present. And you cannot go on indefinitely being just an ordinary, decent egg. We must be hatched or go bad.”   

The imagery makes me laugh, which is part of why I love it.  However, I think there are areas in everyone’s life where they are called to “hatch.”  The easy thing would be to say no…it’s too hard…but those eggs get rotten.   The easy thing would be to remind myself of the reasons and people that make it difficult to “hatch” in that area (maybe I shouldn’t just for spite!).  But….Hello rotten!  Nope…the value comes in pushing through the shell.  Whatever shell is for this moment.   

My flesh says SMACK that EASY BUTTON!  But I know it doesn’t work.  It isn’t of value. Nothing of value is completely easy….and the things that look like they are…are paid for at some time by someone.