Welcome to Phase Three!  In this part of the challenge, we will focus on our social circle.  How are those around us impacting our eternal impact?  Are our friends bringing us closer to the Gospel or pushing us farther away?

I am a chameleon.  I can fit in almost anywhere and I have the ability to put others at ease by assessing their needs and doing what needs to be done to make them feel comfortable and at home no matter where we are.  My personality has served me well to make friends.  It serves me well in my profession.  It does not serve me well when I need to stand up for what I believe is right and good.

Because you see, I have not always walked the straight and narrow way.  I have tested the fields on the wrong side of the fence and while I was there, I met some great people.  Trust me, there are some wonderful people out there that don’t know Jesus the way we do.  (Please know that I do not say this lightly.  Being an example, a teacher, a leader, a director of souls toward heaven is the most important part of our walk with God – it’s the most important part of this challenge!  It is our job to be a light, and we will focus wholly on this in phase four.)

But this part – this pruning of the vine so that you can be completely given to God’s work.  This requires changes in that friend list, in those texting habits, in your social calendar.  Oh, it’s going to hurt.  Without a doubt, this part of the challenge will be the most difficult for some.  This is where we will be tested.  This will be where we will struggle and fight and try to find a balance.  “Is there a way to keep my friends and follow Christ’s plan for my life?”  “Is there a way to avoid offending these dear ones of mine that think they know me inside and out?”  “Can I possibly keep from losing these investments of time – these people with whom I’ve created wonderful memories?”  There may not be.

This may not be as much of a struggle for you.  Your friends might be on the same walk toward Jesus as you are.  Your friends might be urging you onward in your faith.  Maybe changing your viewing habits was your most difficult challenge.  Perhaps it was changing your radio station.  It might have been setting aside time to spend with God because spending time with God is intense.  His Word has a way of cutting right to the heart of things.

For instance:

Make no friendship with a man given to anger, nor go with a wrathful man, 25 lest you learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare. (Proverbs 22:24-25)

I do not sit with men of falsehood, nor do I consort with hypocrites. 5 I hate the assembly of evildoers, and I will not sit with the wicked. (Psalm 26:4-5)

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; (Psalm 1:1)

Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us. (2 Thessalonians 3:6)

Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. (1 Corinthians 15:33)

Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? (2 Corinthians 6:14)

It hurts to read some of these verses.  It calls to mind that verse in Acts:  Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37)

So don’t lose heart.  I will not.  I do believe that good will come of the relationships I’ve made over the years.  I do believe that God has placed these people in my path for a reason.  Now is the time to make a stand for my Savior.  In 1 Timothy 2:4 we learn that God wants each of his children to know Him.  Let us use this challenge to renew our strength, to focus on His word, and to be that light that the world so desperately needs.

Today’s Challenge:   In this first day of Phase Three, begin praying for the upcoming ten days.  Allow extra quiet time in prayer and ask God to put in mind the friendships that most need prayer.  This might be a time of reconciliation.  It might be a time to pull back physically from others, but focus on them more strongly with the power of prayer.  Allow the still small voice to be heard.  Look forward to the manner in which you can share God with your friends.  Do not fear.  Do not act.  For today, wait and pray.