If you did not have any challenges, would you believe your life to have meaning? If frustrations were not a part of your daily life, if learning from your mistakes, doing diligent research because of your mistakes, did not enter into your life on almost a daily, regular basis, what purpose would your life serve?
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Romans 12:2)
The transforming of our minds is a willing submission to the will and Word of God, and if you have not made mistakes in this, if you have not been frustrated, and that often, and if you do not find it to be one of, if not the most challenging aspect of your existence, then your salvation would be in question.
It is not in everyone’s nature to grow, many find refuge and a sense of security in repetition, in sameness. The same routine each day, decades in the same employment field, secure in that sameness, satisfied with repetition. No challenges means no frustrations, repetition means few to no mistakes.
Fear is what follows those that change is forced upon, an anxious nervousness when life is modified beyond their control, and sadly, here is where many stumble in their faith.
Transforming means changing from what we are to what the Almighty would have us to be, and this is more than just a hindrance to some who profess to serve Him, it is downright rejected.
“And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46)
Because they are afraid, afraid of losing friends and family, of personal rejection from those they know, those they love and associate with. Because the frustrations, the loss of repetition, are not worth the price He asks us to pay.
It is easy to sit in the pew each Sunday morning; to greet with smiles, hugs and firm handshakes those they call their brothers and sisters in Christ. It’s not so easy to speak of Him outside of those doors. It is a challenge they are not willing to accept, and so as to not feel the frustrations, to not take the chance of making a mistake, they continue in the weekly repetition, believing that by adhering to Hebrews 10:25 they have fulfilled every necessary requirement placed upon them.
“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”
I am a man that needs challenges, it does not bother me in the least if I fail at them, because I have still learned a valuable lesson. The frustrations enable initiative, driving me and those who live this life as well, on to either success or failure, and my friends, both are necessary for a full life.
Those who fear any of these, who seek comfort in repetition have found a false comfort, and in most of them you will find they are quite comfortable in this world. They have no desire to go to Canaan, forty years of wandering with nothing but manna means no real challenges, which in turn means no serious mistakes, which means no frustrations.
Being transformed hurts, growing in the grace and knowledge of the Lord is not only challenging, but extremely frustrating at times. And if you do not think you are going to make numerous mistakes, you are fooling yourself.
Did you think dying to self was going to be easy?
“So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.” (Heb. 3:11)
Repetition is the enemy of growth and calls for no real personal effort. Change will cost you something, every time.
