Let’s Challenge Ourselves Spiritually 

It was a recent hot, humid summer morning when I stepped onto a pickleball court with my teenage grandson. I was curious to see how I would do and how my physical stamina would be after not having been involved in that activity for many months. My grandson had gotten quite good at the game, so I took this as a personal challenge. I was pleased to see that I could still hold my own against a much younger opponent. We each won hard-fought games, although my victories came with a lot more huffing and puffing than my grandson’s. While my competitive spirit wanted to try to play a tie-breaking game, my body told me I had reached my limit. I paid the price for this strenuous activity later with stiff, sore muscles, but it had been a satisfying and enjoyable experience.

It can be good to challenge ourselves at times, to test our limits, or just to get out of our comfort zones. We may do that in certain areas of our lives, such as with our physical abilities, our work skills, or our relationships. However, do we ever challenge ourselves when it comes to spiritual matters and our walk with the Lord? If we are not careful, we can let ourselves grow complacent or we can get a little lazy in those spiritual disciplines that help us grow in our faith. We can take our relationship with the Lord for granted, or simply become a little slack in our service to Him. Our concern for the souls of others can wane. We can end up isolating ourselves from the needy world around us rather than getting out in it to be the light God calls us to be.

We need to exercise our spiritual muscles, not let them grow weak from lack of use. We need to face the challenging societal issues of our day with the truth of God’s Word, not try to ignore them or stick our heads in the sand as if those problems don’t exist. We need to take the initiative to be that Church Jesus talked about that would storm the gates of hell, not be the ones who simply sit back in perpetual defensive mode.

Maybe we can begin by challenging ourselves to be more active in those means of grace which will help us draw closer to God. Challenge yourself to make church attendance a more regular part of your life. Take that extra step to get involved in a Sunday School class or a small group Bible study or prayer meeting. Challenge yourself to make Bible reading and prayer a daily practice in your life, or to add a little additional time or depth to those practices. Look for a fresh way you can use your gifts and abilities to bless others and to serve God.

Let’s challenge ourselves to be better witnesses for Christ, both by the words that we say and by the Christlike lives we live. Let’s intentionally look for opportunities to show the love of God to someone who needs it. Let’s look for a chance to share His Word or our testimony or some truth of the gospel with someone who needs to hear it. Let’s challenge ourselves to plant those seeds of love and truth every day.  

There may be limits to what we can do, just as my physical strength limited me on that pickleball court. We need to step up wisely and under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. But let’s not allow apathy, complacency, laziness, or fear keep us from getting out onto the court. Challenge yourself to keep growing spiritually, to serve the Lord in new ways, and to be a better, more godly influence on your world.