by Rev Douglas Brauner

Finding excitement in a challenge.

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

“Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win!”
1 Corinthians 9:24 New Living Translation

I recently watch a YouTube video where the person stated that boredom is “the lack of a lack.” I’m not sure what it means to have a lack of a lack, but I do know what it means to lack something challenging. I know what it is like to do things by rote.

Cedar Mountain Trail, Lutheran Valley Retreat

One of the reasons I like photography as a hobby is that there is always something new with which I can challenge myself, even if that something new is returning to something old. If you follow me on Facebook, or Instagram, you know that I have returned to shooting pictures on film. I purchased a used medium format camera, and have been taking a few pictures with it.

Shooting pictures with this camera has challenged me. Shooting with this camera is more work than taking pictures with my digital camera. I have to meter each picture with an app on my phone. I have to make sure that all of my settings are correct. Most importantly, I have to be patient as I look for the results, knowing all the while that I will take a small fraction of the pictures I normally take.

Maybe the reason we’re bored in our Christian walk is because we’re consumed with the lack of a challenge. Maybe it’s time for you and me to do something that will challenge our faith. Maybe it’s time to work in the food pantry, talk to a stranger about Christ, make a visit to a nursing home, or facilitate a home group. We all know what would challenge us. We all know what would take us out of our comfort zone.

When we take the time to step out of our comfort zone we will discover that our faith journey isn’t boring. We might even find ourselves excited about our day when we wake up.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado