Let’s be honest. Hebrews 12:14 is a bit… intense.

“Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy, without which no one will see the Lord.”

Every effort, Lord? Every?

Because listen, I can make an effort.

I can even make some effort.

But every effort? Even when the other person definitely started it? When they rolled their eyes, or hit “reply all,” or whispered that tone of voice I just can’t stand?

Hi. I’m Vicky. And sometimes I really don’t feel like making every effort. I mean, I love Jesus. I worship with all my heart. I pray. I read the Word. I give it my best… most of the time. But there are days when I just want to hold a grudge, tell someone off, or wallow in the fact that I’m right (which I usually am, obviously).

But then I read that last part: “without holiness, no one will see the Lord.”

And suddenly… ouch.

Because deep down, I don’t just want to “do church” or be a “good Christian.” I want to see Him.

Like Moses did when he cried, “Lord, show me Your glory!”

Like the angels do, those thousands upon thousands in Hebrews 12 who gather in joyful assembly before the throne. Can you imagine the sound? The light? The absolute awe of it all?

And yet, they see Him.

Because there’s no bitterness there.

No resentment.

No passive-aggressive WhatsApps.

Just pure, unfiltered holiness. Joy. Worship. And clarity.

And I want that.

I want to see the One who saved me. The One who knows me (like really knows me—Hebrew “yada” style). The One who thought of me before the world began and somehow still decided I was worth creating.

But here’s the thing: we don’t magically become holy or peaceful or loving. We become like Him bit by bit, through obedience.

And obedience? Well… it doesn’t always feel “fun.”

Sometimes it looks like apologizing first.

Sometimes it looks like choosing silence when you could win the argument.

Sometimes it looks like setting aside your perfectly reasonable offense because peace matters more than proving your point.

And when we lean into the Word (even when it stings a little), it teaches us these things.

It gently corrects.

It redirects.

It says, “Hey Vicky… maybe don’t post that. Breathe. Try again.”

And the more we do it, the more we choose peace, choose kindness, choose surrender—the clearer our vision becomes.

Not just of what’s right…

But of Who is waiting for us at the center of it all.

Maybe that’s the blessing of obedience.

Not just a smooth life or answered prayers (though those are nice perks).

But the real blessing?

We get to see His face… 

Not just someday.

But even now, glimpses of His glory in the quiet moments, the forgiving moments, the peace-filled ones.

And let me tell you…

That kind of vision?

Is worth every effort.

Even when they started it.

Love V