I’m realizing that my challenge is really becoming a challenge for me.

Not that long ago someone said something to me that I took as a challenge. 

There have been many times in my life that I have felt pressured to respond to someone’s comments, suggestions, or commands. Sometimes I’ve even taken a challenge that wasn’t really there. 

In college I liked this girl. She didn’t care two hoots about me but that didn’t stop me from trying. 

We were talking one day and she expressed her disappointment that she had no one to run with in a 10 kilometre race the school was putting on. I quickly took on the challenge. Well, there was really no challenge from her. It was me challenging myself to do something stupid for someone I kind of liked.

I said to her, “I’ll run with you” and that was that. 

It was no big deal … except for the fact that I had never run 10 k in my life. In fact, I’d never run 5 k. I’m basically not a runner.

The race was coming up soon, so the week before I thought maybe I should train a little. I decided to go with a group who was doing a 5 k run. 

Being in my twenties so I figured I was pretty invincible. I guess my feet weren’t prepared for all that pounding because after that 5k my right foot was sore. My foot felt like something was out of place. For the next week I had to walk on the side of my foot. 

By race time, it was still really sore. But I wasn’t about to back away from a challenge, even if it was for a girl who didn’t really like me all that much. 

Oh, I ran the race and completed it. It was the first and only time I ran 10K. And no, I didn’t get the girl … turned out my roommate eventual did.

That was long, long ago and a tough challenge. I’m facing one now that is tough in another way. 

I was doing a chapel with the Kingston Frontenacs hockey team and the topic of lent came up. Some of the guys were talking about what they were or were not going to do during lent. 

Then one of them asked me, “Paul, what are you going to do for Lent?” 

“Well,” I said, “I don’t usually do anything, but I’ll think of something and do it this year.”

What I came up with was to cut out social media until Easter – that means no Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.

I didn’t think it was that tough because I’m not a real social media junky, but it’s been a bit more challenging than I expected. 

As I look at my Facebook app icon, there is a red number beside it: 101 and counting – that’s the number of notifications and requests I have not seen. 

I also get emails letting me know that someone has posted something. There is always an urge to check that out. 

So far I’ve remained strong. But this challenge has been challenging. 

Here’s the thing: A challenge shouldn’t be easy; it should cost you something. God has challenged us to draw close to Him. If we do, He promises to draw close to us. So what are you specifically doing on a daily basis to take up God’s challenge to get to know Him better? That might be a tough challenge, but it’s worth it. 

That’s Life!

Paul

Question: What is the greatest challenge you face today? Leave your comments and questions below.

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