Picture it: several strong-armed men pull up dried branches, digging through packed clay, cutting at rough logs that form the building’s roof. Perspiring in the hot sun, they steadily lower their friend through the hole they have created.

The mat dangles. No one dares push it away.

The bodies beneath part. The eager men lean over the hole to watch. Their efforts are not in vain. There is Jesus!

Devoted effort is always impressive. In a culture where accomplishments often seem microwaved, anyone putting out extra hours, extra money, extra care, impresses us. Such things impressed our heavenly Father too.

Jesus was drawn to Zacchaeus, who climbed a tree to see Him. He healed the bleeding woman, who sought Him out and strategized how to absorb His power. There was Noah, whose boat was no weekend father-son project. And Daniel and his friends gave up a night of sleep to beg God to reveal Nebuchadnezzar’s dream. Animals took great effort to sacrifice. Altars took muscles to build.

God is closest to us when we stretch to be close to Him, fasting or tithing, memorizing verses, lifting others in prayer, or waking early to spend time with Him. It isn’t working our way to heaven, it’s simply living our faith.