When We Choose Difficult

Life has hard moments that come all too often. They aren’t pleasant and we don’t look forward to them at all, but we know they are coming. It could be a health issue, a relationship issue, a work conflict, a class that is wiping us out, or a financial issue. The list could be endless and it is individualized for each of us. They hit us and we are forced to deal with them. God teaches us and grows us during these trying times, but are there moments when we should seek out something that is hard to do? Are there moments where God is prompting an individual to take on a challenge?

I think the answer to both of the above questions is a resounding yes. We naturally seek comfort and the path of least resistance. I like a comfortable couch and Netflix, but that’s not what God wants. I think Western Christianity is pretty comfortable. We come to church, we might participate in a small group, and hopefully work in some part of the church, such as, greeting or children’s ministry. Those things wrap us up for the week and we then do our best to be comfortable. The question then arises is that all there is? I don’t think that’s all God is after.

My wife Marie was talking with me the other day and said that she thought God wanted her to do something hard. She was praying and trying to figure out what God wanted her to do. Most of us wait for those trials and difficult circumstances. We don’t naturally seek out a difficult task for God or anyone else. The path of least resistance is where we want to be, but what if we are missing out on so much because we do that? The natural mindset of people is what made her thoughts on the matter so unusual.

I think God has so much more He wants to use us to do. The problem is that we can get so wrapped up in ourselves that we don’t even consider seeking out what is possible. David sought out a confrontation with Goliath. Joshua sought out a confrontation with the city of Jericho. Paul looked for how and where he could plant a church. It would have been easier to bypass these things. If Joshua, David, and Paul had just bypassed something that seemed to hard to overcome they would have missed what God was doing. I think its time for Christians to stop being so comfortable. Great things are often difficult to accomplish. These tough things will take our time, resources, and energy and they should. What are you really accomplishing that has a lasting impact by taking the path of least resistance? What need or opportunity has God been putting on your mind? Maybe God wants you to choose to do something difficult. The blessings you can receive will far outweigh the effort.