Just Keep Swimming

​“Can you swim?" said Victor. One of the cavern's rotting pillars crashed down behind them. From the pit itself came a terrible wailing. 
"Not very well," said Ginger. 
"Me neither," he said. The commotion behind them was getting worse. 
"Still," he said, taking her hand. "We could look on this as a great opportunity to improve really quickly.” 
― Terry Pratchett, Moving Pictures

My children have swim lessons today, and I was put in mind of this wonderful Terry Pratchett scene.  Clearly, the characters are in danger.  Clearly, they are swimming for their lives without knowing exactly how.  But the attitude they choose to take is to see the challenge as an opportunity.  And, although Pratchett is decidedly not a Christian writer, seeing challenge as opportunity is a Biblical concept.  

The Message Paraphrase of James 1:2-4 says,  "Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way."

What challenges are happening in your life that you might embrace instead of escape?  How will you use it to 'improve really quickly'?

Come and improve with us at Brightwood Christian Church!  We gather for worship at 11 am on Sundays.  We hope to see you soon.