Why is it so hard?

Tonight I was thinking about why it is so hard to focus on God and effortless to put all our energies into frivolous activities. It seems contradictory to me that I can remember almost every detail in a 150 page video game book, but memorizing a Psalm takes enormous effort. As I contemplated the “why” I thought of one possible answer. When we are not focused on God and are caught up with the cares of this world, the evil one has nothing to worry about, we are already losing the battle. This is why it is easy for us to get caught up in anything (except God of course); Satan has us exactly where he wants us, drifting further away from God. In addition, the more time we spend on something the more likely it is going to become a passion (I know from experience). Then not only do we have to struggle against the evil one but against ourselves as well because we have become dependant on something other than God. The moment we focus on God the evil one (and our passions) attacks us, causing us to struggle to get to God. Lord help us! This would explains why I could play video games easily for 8 hours straight, but have a hard time praying attentively for even 15 minuets. It still mystifies me that the most important thing in our life is the hardest to strive after. Here is a quote from St. Theophan’s The Spiritual Life that sheds more light on the subject: “… Abandon a certain wrongful activity that often strikes and afflicts almost everyone: That is, the fact that we spare no labor on any matter except when it comes to that of salvation. We want to think that we have only to contemplate salvation and desire it, and everything is all set. That is not how it happens in reality. That matter of salvation is the most important thing. Consequently it is the most difficult. This is by virtue of its importance and by the labor required. Labor then, for the Lord’s sake!” Brothers and Sisters in Christ let us take up our cross daily and strive for salvation in Christ.