Skip to main content

“Whenever we take on a God-sized challenge, self-sufficiency is no longer an option.”

A thought by Erwin Raphael McManus from his book, Chasing Daylight: Seize the Power of Every Moment (Kindle Location 843). Kindle Edition.

That is one of the main reasons we are given the opportunity of taking on God-sized challenges, He wants us to depend on Him.  When we can do it on our own then we don’t need Him and someone else. We do that so we won’t share the credit and also many times so we won’t fail.  The need to not fail drives us more it seems than the need for faith.  But to Him without faith it is impossible to please Him.  To please Him or bring Him glory is the reason why we are alive.  Somehow we need to really get that into our life view and live it.

Now I know there is fear in faith but there is also fear in failing.  Failure takes something out of you and faith puts something in. 

I can point to many God-sized challenges in my life but I think that retirement has been one of the most challenging opportunities that God has ever given me.  For a while I wasn’t sure if I would find the reason for me to have made this drastic step in Margaret and my life but I’m finding it to be the most challenging and exciting period in our lives.  He has changed me and is adapting me to the task He has for me to do each and every day.  Living out this God-shaped adventure has been so very rewarding.  God is so good. 

This last year we have lived in Oceanside, New York, Seminole, Florida and now Pasadena, California.  If I wasn’t retired this life-adventure would never have happened and it isn’t over.  It is just beginning.  It is really hard to believe what He is doing in our life.  There is no way we could have done this without Him.

Understand, there is always a major risk in taking on a God-shaped challenge but it is so worth it.

So what is He challenging you to do?
Labels:

Comments

  1. Brett WilliamsMarch 15, 2013 at 8:51 PM

    What is God challenging me to do...hmmm...play it safe? stay where I am? keep doing what I'm doing? remain "comfortable", focus on security for me and my family?

    nah!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Bill WilliamsMarch 16, 2013 at 5:16 AM

    that is so true. you have an exciting, challenging adventure ahead. i'm glad i'm going to be a part of it!!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

“We believe it’s important to derive value from everything in our lives.”

A thought by Jon Tyson from his book, The Burden Is Light: Liberating Your Life from the Tyranny of Performance and Success (p. 118). The Crown Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. (Click on the book title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.) But is that all that is important? Jon says, “We want to realize an immediate return from whatever we invest in. I am prone to this way of thinking in so many areas of my life. ‘I paid a lot for that meal, yet the portions were not that big.’ ‘I invested two hours in that movie, and it was just okay.’   ‘I went to church, but the sermon wasn’t that profound.’ We believe it’s important to derive value from everything in our lives. But beauty doesn’t fit within that framework. When Mary anointed Jesus with oil, there was an immediate outcry against her extravagant generosity. ‘It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor.’ (Mark 14:5) One gospel depicts the disciples crying, ‘Why this waste?...
Post a Comment
Read more

“Hurry and love are incompatible.”

A thought by John Mark Comer from his book, The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry (p. 23). The Crown Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. (Click on the book title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.) Wow, pretty strong thought isn’t it? John says, “All my worst moments as a father, a husband, and a pastor, even as a human being, are when I’m in a hurry—late for an appointment, behind on my unrealistic to-do list, trying to cram too much into my day. I ooze anger, tension, a critical nagging—the antitheses of love. If you don’t believe me, next time you’re trying to get your type B wife and three young, easily distracted children out of the house and you’re running late (a subject on which I have a wealth of experience), just pay attention to how you relate to them. Does it look and feel like love? Or is it far more in the vein of agitation, anger, a biting comment, a rough glare? Hurry and love are oil and water: they simply do not mix.” He goes on, “Hence, in the apostle P...
Post a Comment
Read more

"Lie 2: The more you worry about it, the better your odds of avoiding it."

A thought by Louie Giglio in his book,   Winning the War on Worry    (p. 5). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition. (Click on the book title to go to Amazon to buy the book.) Here is another lie that the Enemy uses with us. And Louie says, "This is a tricky lie. Yes, we often have cause for concern and preparation. But the Enemy wants you to believe that if you worry or fret over a certain outcome long enough, you can keep something bad from happening." But this is so important to realize. He says, "The reality is worrying has never once prevented something negative from happening. Planning might. Prayer has. But worry never will." He continues, "The Enemy tells you that by worrying about a situation (or every situation) you can make your tomorrow better. Really, worry just robs you of today. Jesus implored us: 'I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body mor...
Post a Comment
Read more