The “C” s THAT WILL HELP YOU (14)- CHALLENGES

Right after we had the very first meeting as a ministry, I was so elated that I sent a message to my mentor. His response was simple and unforgettable- “Pastor Temi, congratulations, but what next?” I did not know whether to rejoice or how to respond. I have celebrated a milestone, but truly, what next.

Beloved, challenges are the food of champions. To become an indispensable champion, you must be willing to take on challenges. There is no champion without challenges. You must be willing to receive challenges. If you run from challenges, you cannot be a champion.

Small challenges prepare you for bigger ones. Thank God for the victory over the lion and the bear. Do not over-celebrate that you miss out on facing the giants that are still coming. Your voice should ring out loud like that of David:

Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.”

1 Samuel 17:36-37 NIV

Thank God for what has happened, and do not stop thanking Him for it. Never be caught in the trap of ingratitude. Never be caught in forgetfulness. However, do not build a monument where you are meant to erect a tent. Build altars and move on. Remember the altars. Visit them again and again. But keep moving on in obedience as you take on greater things.

You need someone who challenges you in life. You need someone who reminds you never to settle. You must be challenged to:

Spiritual Growth

Character Development

Capacity Development

If you are only surrounded by fans, you will be stuck in your past achievements. They will make you print business cards with titles like “Killer of Lions and Bears.” Do you have new and fresh testimonies, or are you still sharing past victories? Thank God for previous victories. You must trust him for fresh victories, too.

Be like Caleb. Ask for more mountains to conquer while others are settling down:

“Now then, just as the Lord promised, he has kept me alive for forty-five years since the time he said this to Moses, while Israel moved about in the wilderness. So here I am today, eighty-five years old! I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I’m just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then. Now give me this hill country that the Lord promised me that day. You yourself heard then that the Anakites were there and their cities were large and fortified, but, the Lord helping me, I will drive them out just as he said.” Joshua 14:10-12 NIV

Do not sleep with trophies when there are still mountains to conquer.

©temilOluwa Ola, Eruwa