Last week, in response to the headline policies announced at political party conferences I tweeted that when Jesus said that we would always have poor people the correct response is ‘Challenge accepted’ not ‘Okay!’

I have pondered this since then and wonder what the correct responses might be to some of Jesus’ other difficult sayings… here’s what I have got so far:

‘You will always have poor people with you.’ Challenge accepted

‘Unless you become like a little child you can never enter the Kingdom of God.’ Limitations rejected          

‘Unless you hate your family you can have no part of me.’ Relationships infected.     

‘If you want to be great in God’s Kingdom become everybody’s servant.’ Pride deflected.

‘You’re blessed when people reject or attack you because of me.’ Bruises expected.             

‘Turn the other cheek, walk the extra mile, give away your coat.’ Comfortable life ejected.

‘Don’t be a religious hypocrite.’ Life and faith amalgamated.

Be blessed, be a blessing