It is inevitable that each one of us will face a variety of challenges throughout our lives. Some of them may feel less significant like having to try a new thing or step out of our comfort zone for a time, while others may feel a bit more life-altering like moving to a new place, facing an unexpected diagnosis or dealing with the death of a loved one.

Often our first instinct is to run away from them, but challenges can be a gift if we allow them to be. Challenges can move us to learn new things about ourselves, push us to see what’s possible, help us to see that we are not alone, teach us the blessing of relying on others, and most importantly show us who God is and how God loves.

Recently, while we were away at JOLT Adventure Camp, challenges in various forms presented themselves to both students and leaders. And while each one was different, all of them shared some common themes – they offered opportunities to develop confidence, shift perspective, gain trust, learn acceptance, reveal strength, experience love, and find faith.

When we face our fears and uncertainties, we open ourselves to amazing possibilities, and when we do all this trusting that God is always with us and surrounds us with all we need to maneuver each step of this life, then we allow ourselves to be transformed into who God is continually creating us to be, and the world to be shaped into the place God desires.

Our time at adventure camp was an opportunity to be challenged but more importantly, it was a time to be amazed by God. But you don’t have to go away to adventure camp to experience this, you need only to be willing to have your eyes and heart opened and trust that God is leading you on a path deeper into God’s love. Challenges are certain – more importantly, so is God’s love.

“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.” ~Romans 5:3-5 (NLT)

Pastor Tony