CONLEY COMMENTARY (WSAU) –  I’m Chris Conley, and today’s Conley Commentary is a Friday on Faith.

Faith is a little like shaving. 

Men will understand this right away. 

Shaving is highly imperfect. It’s designed that way.

You can go into a pharmacy or a big box store and buy a disposable razor. They cost about a dollar each. The blades are actually made of sharpened plastic, not metal. They’re good for one or two uses. And then you throw them out.

You can buy a single-blade safety razor. They’ve been in use for a hundred years. But they are out-of-favor, so finding the right blades is difficult. And they clog up. They need to be rinsed several times while shaving.

There are cartridge shavers. These days three blades or, if you think you need it, five blades. Store brands tend to be cheaper. But they wear out faster. You’ll need a new blade in a week or so. Name brands are expensive. They last longer. And it’s difficult to clean out the stubble and shaving cream.

You see – shaving is imperfect.

And then, there is the straight razor. They are fancy, with an ivory handle. The blade is made of finely polished steel. You sharpen it before each use. And it gives you the best, closest shave.

You’d think everyone would use a straight razor.

But almost no one does. Less than 1-percent of men choose the best shave.

You have to learn how to use it. You have to be patient. You’re not good at it at first. You wonder if it’s worth it. You’ll get better over time if you stick with it. And you’ll get the best shave.

Jesus himself said, “Narrow is the door, and few will enter.”

Faith is like that. Just like the straight razor, the Bible is there for anyone who wants it. Many decide not to read it. Some aren’t patient enough; God’s teachings are challenging. You need to keep at it. You’ll need to be diligent. Some lessons will be more meaningful to you over time. And there may be times when you wonder, is it worth it?

Just like if you learn to use a straight razor, you’ll get the best shave. Learn your faith, and you’ll be rewarded for a lifetime and beyond.

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