Why the challenge?

Brief Reflection...

Some people might be curious as to why I didn't make this challenge a really public thing, or why I even did the challenge at all. To be honest, this blog wasn't really about anything but my own relationship with Jesus. Yes, I have told people about my challenge, and at times I have posted some documentation of this challenge on facebook, but ultimately, I created this blog as a personal account of my spiritual progression. In short, I wanted to see if I could, in some small way, live out the things that I've been preaching. I've come to learn that following Jesus really can't be defined by a weekly ritual of attending church or doing x-number of ministry works or donating a certain amount to missions. Though these things are not inherently bad, the heart that fuels each of these actions should ultimately be one of true, honest, and genuine love. And that love, I believe, is often reflected in our daily lives; in how we respond to conflict; in our habits, thoughts, attitudes, and innermost feelings that no one can see but us and Jesus.

It's been so easy to blow up my reputation with words and church talk without really backing it up with any real evidence in my life. And that is why I took this challenge. It's been a whole year, and I definitely feel like I've grown exponentially, but there is still SO much for me to learn as a person that this can't possibly mark the end. I don't claim to have "mastered" loving others; in fact, this challenge has in many ways helped me see how unloving I am at times. And yet, it is through Christ that I have been redeemed by His blood, and it is through HIS strength that I can do all things [Philippians 4:13]. By the grace of God I will continue to love Jesus and love others, although I may not necessarily keep to a strict schedule of blogging it every day.

& thanks to anyone who has been reading my blog and showing support :) GOD BLESS YOU & HAPPY EASTER!