I read a startling statistic the other day, according to Google, the phrase “I’m offended” has increased in usage by more than 5,600% in just the past century.

It took me a minute to process that ‘the past century’ meant from the beginning of 2000 and not 1900.

You don’t have to look very far to realize the truth of that statement. Today people are offended by books, songs, politicians and people who think differently than they think.  Some people are offended when others are offended, and some people are offended when others aren’t offended.

While we should be careful not to offend people just for the sake of offending them, Paul speaks to that in 1 Corinthians, there will be times when people will find what we believe as Christians to be offensive.

The church was called to be different from the world, different in our beliefs and different in our values. When we say there are things which are right and other things which are wrong, we will offend people.

But we aren’t called to please the world, we are called to please God, and when the world realizes that, you can be sure that someone will say, “I’m offended.”

Have a great week and remember: To see what is really possible, you will have to attempt the impossible.