challenge

What happens when we are challenged? 1 John

To be challenged is accept the opportunity to be corrected. If we are challenged, most of us believe that our failure is implicit in the challenge. If one is asked to do more, often one believes they are failing to do enough. If one is asked to do something different, often one believes that what they are currently doing is wrong. If one is shown a faster or a simpler way, often one assumes they are incompetent because they had employed another way. As we look at our lives and our church it will be easy for us to wonder if any change we are asked to make masks an underlying statement that we are not good enough. For many the biggest battle is not the change but rather the hurt that is taken on when someone suggests we need to change. It can become even more devastating when the call to change points out that we have fallen short thereby displeasing God.

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