Many times in my life, sometimes many times a day, I am challenged to do something, change something or just something. At times, these challenges have at their core personal motivation rather than God directed motivation.
Whenever a challenge has as it source motivation that is self directed there are some dangerous results we can not get past.
For example I am challenged consistently to become a better husband, father, pastor and Friend. But if when this challenge comes from my own desires it ends up in being a pride grower rather than a life changer. I end up wanting this change to occur so that I might look better to others or feel better about myself. Sometimes I am challenged in this way because of guilt after comparing how someone else is doing in these areas or after reflecting on mistakes I have made. When any challenge comes only from myself then I end up with a very dangerous and narcissistic response.
Even in those times where I am challenged and it seems my motivations are good, when they are motivated by me, I am building something into my life that is not good. Dependence on myself to change rather than God to change me.
Romans 8:5-11 (my paraphrase for this context) tells me that if I allow myself to be the one in charge of deciding what I will be challenged with in life I will soon start to be controlled by the wrong motivations and that will lead to a very unhealthy place, death. Nothing unhealthier than that. But if I allow God, through His Spirit which lives in me when I surrender my life to Him, to set those challenges then my motivations will remain pure, He will be the one to provide direction and energy to accomplish them and it will lead to a good place called, life.
I want to step beyond personal challenges and get to the place of real change. That will mean I need get over myself and let God be the one who is the challenger of change in me. Not an easy task for someone who wants to be in control of the outcome and yet someone who knows that any outcome directed by me instead of God ends up being self destructive.
Who is challenging you to change today? Is it you or is it God?
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