Challenges

Throughout Scripture, we see that God prioritizes rest. But in our fast-paced society, rest can sometimes be thought of as being lazy or not doing enough. But that's not the message that we consistently see from God. He wants us to rest and be renewed. Oftentimes, we think of rest as a quiet or relaxing time by ourselves, but rest can also happen with and around other people. Start this week's challenge by thinking of someone in your life who leaves you feeling renewed after spending time with them, and then schedule some time with them in way that will be renewing for you mentally, emotionally, or spiritually. You can be creative with how or where you spend your time with this person. We'd love to hear your story and how this time with them impacted you!

In 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 we read, "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ." Your unique journey has, undoubtedly, led you through your share of difficulties and trials. However, through those struggles, God has likely taught you lessons and hopefully brought you some comfort in those times that only he can. These experiences allow you to be able to comfort others going through the similar struggles and trials in a way that others cannot.  So this week, spend some time reflecting on the ways that God has strengthened and comforted you throughout your life. Then pray and look for someone who is going through something similar, and comfort them with the same comfort that God provided you. We can't wait to hear your story of how you accomplished this throughout your week!

This week's challenge may seem a little counterintuitive at first, but it is inspired by Galatians 6:2. This verse states, "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." So this week, ask someone to share one of your burdens or struggles that you are going through. This might mean asking for help or just having that person be in prayer with you regarding this burden. By humbling yourself and sharing with vulnerability, you will have opened a door so this person feels comfortable and willing to share their burdens with you in the future and you will have the opportunity to love them one at a time. 

When is the last time you apologized to someone? It's not something that comes easily to most of us. One of the ways that we can love people one at a time is by humbling ourselves and asking for forgiveness.  Take a moment and examine who is your life may need to hear "I'm sorry" from you this week. It may be for something small or it may be for something that has affected lives for many years. But because of the grace that Christ extends to us, we are able, as his followers, to ask for grace from others in our lives. Sharing a story may be more difficult this week, but it will undoubtedly encourage and inspire others in ways that only God knows.

There have been hundreds of many amazing, wonderful, and emotional stories shared on this app. Stories of people showing Jesus to the forgotten, lost, and hurting in our communities...one at a time.  Take a few minutes (or as many as you feel led to) to read through some of the stories here on this app of how your brothers and sisters in Christ are loving people one at a time, then comment and encourage them! It doesn't have to be anything long or extravagant, just something to encourage and speak courage into others. We have no doubt that God will use your comments to inspire and motivate others.  

Jesus loves us without any limitations. There aren't any qualifiers for his love, and he doesn't put any restrictions on his love either. As followers of Christ, we are called to love people this same way. This week, follow up at least one "I love you" statement with an "and". There a multitude of ways you can finish that sentence, so allow God to guide you on what to say next! It could be a prayer, it could be offering a favor, it could be financially assisting; the possibilities are endless. Once you do, please share your story with us so we can be encouraged by how God is working and moving!

During his ministry, Jesus was consistently going out of his way to help those who were undervalued or overlooked. We, as Christians, are challenged to live the same way. We are called to go further than people would expect you to go, in ways that are often inconvenient or uncomfortable.  This week, pray about who God wants you to see and help throughout your day. And when the opportunity arises, answer the call to show love to that individual or family! It could mean financially assisting them, it could mean giving your time, or a variety of different ways to "go the extra mile" or go out of your way to help and encourage someone. By going the extra mile, you will glorify God and can inspire others to live this same way!

When we read about the wise men in the Christmas story, we see that they watched and waited patiently for the opportunity that God placed in their path to give generously. That's the type of example that we want to follow as Christians.  For this challenge, begin in prayer. Pray that God would show you opportunities for you to give your best! "Your best" looks a little different for each person so also be praying that God would reveal what that means for you as you look for people to love one at a time. 

In the Christmas story, Joseph's many sacrifices can sometimes be forgotten in the midst of the miracle of Jesus's birth. But Joseph sacrificed a lot to follow what God had asked of him so that the Kingdom of God could advance. When we really take a moment to look back at all the people who have sacrificed their time, money, talents, etc. for us, it can be a little overwhelming. And if we are honest, we can often take these people and these sacrifices for granted. So, take a few minutes this week to reflect on who those people are in your life, then set aside some time to thank and acknowledge them for the way they sacrificially loved you!

People encounter intersections in their lives for a variety of circumstances. Many times these intersections involve difficult and challenging decisions that lead people to seek help and advice from those around them.  This week, begin your day by praying that God would make you aware and show you the intersections that those close to you are experiencing. Listen for God's prompting for how you can step into those intersections and show grace and love to the people one at a time.

We read in the Gospels that Jesus was often going somewhere or "on his way" when he encountered someone who had a need he fulfilled. Jesus's proximity to these people is what allowed for these opportunities to present themselves, and the same is true for us. The people that surround us or we find ourselves near determine the different types of opportunities that we have to love and value people one at a time.  So this week, surround yourself with some people that aren't typically in your proximity! This could mean you have to change up your usual routine, but this allows God to place some people in your path that you normally wouldn't see and gives you new chances to show others his love. Make sure to share what you did differently and how God used you in the "Stories" section of the app!

We all want God to work through us to accomplish something of value and worth, but what we find in Scripture is that He has to work in us before He can work through us. This week, we want to challenge you to set your alarm 15 minutes earlier than you normally would and spend that extra time in prayer. Pray that God would show you what He wants to do in you, then take note of how He is working through you because what He is doing in you! 

Jesus had a special way of noticing the one in society that others often overlooked or forgot about. This week, pray a prayer to ask God to give you eyes for these people that are present in your life. Then, find one of these people and notice them. Share your story here about how you showed someone, who might typically go unnoticed, that you value them.