The Hard Thing

It is widely accepted that anything worth having will require significant effort. That effort will take determination, tenacity, focus, and most of all...courage. As simple as those words sound, they carry a lot of weight and can often be grueling to walk out. I call it the “hard thing”.
 
I remember when I decided a few years ago to write a book. The process of transcribing my thoughts, tapping into my creativity, and causing the two to marry seemed insurmountable. Nonetheless, when I took the next step and did the hard thing by putting pen to paper, something pretty incredible happened. I received grace to write and what seemed difficult at first to attain, became almost second nature to actualize.
 
Our nation is in a season of reckoning with the issues of racism and social injustice. The path to reconciliation and healing will require us to face a difficult reality and have hard conversations. I recently gathered with some dear friends who happen to be Caucasian. In our meeting, we talked about the black experience from my perspective as an African American woman. Everyone was given an opportunity to speak on the issue and what it meant to them and then we prayed. I must admit, I left the meeting grateful, but saddened. Saddened that this discussion was even necessary, yet incredibly grateful that this hard conversation was a valuable step toward healing, empathy, and understanding. It took courage for my Caucasian friend to facilitate this meeting. Remember, anything worth having requires significant, and often uncomfortable effort.
 
In closing, I’m reminded of Jesus who made the choice to do the hard thing. He chose to live a sinless life...hard. He endured the death of the cross at the hand of His creation...very hard. However, the fruit of His decision to take the next step and do the hard thing was the salvation of the world. What will you choose today?
 
But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.
 (Heb 2:9 NIV)
 
Tikita Peagler
Guest Blogger