God gives us some tough challenges, doesn’t He?
He asks us to set our eyes on Him and to value what He values—which is nearly always the opposite of what the world values.
Nowhere does Jesus make this plainer than in the Sermon on the Mount—in which Jesus tells us what truly is blessed:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’s sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
Matthew 3-11 (ESV)
From a worldly standard, most of these do not sound like statuses we would aspire to. They certainly do not sound like blessings. Quite contrary.
But God does not offer us worldly enticements. Instead, He gives us tough challenges.
While the world is telling us to strive to be unique, find our own “truth,” and set aside the values others try to impose on us, God says the opposite.
He offers the toughest challenge:
“Be imitators of God, as beloved children, and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, as an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.” (Ephesians 5:1 NASB)
God asks us to be imitators of Him. Not of the world.
How does your life reflect this?
How do you imitate God?
Where does your life fall short?
These are heavy questions for us to contemplate during the Lenten season.
But the reflection is paramount to our successful walk –our success in life.
What might you do this Lenten season to reflect God better?
This is truly the toughest challenge.
But oh, how the effort is well spent!