TD9-Temporarily uncomfortable
Yesterday morning in church, the pastor spoke about being in a comfort zone. It took me off guard a bit because I’ve been thinking about this topic a lot recently and have wanted to write about. So, here we go.
There may come a point in your life where the convenience of your comfort zone will start to “sicken” you. I understand this well as it wasn’t that long ago that it happened to me. And when I say comfort zone, I’m not necessarily talking about just proclaiming that Jesus is lord. I’m talking about the everyday circumstances that surround you and maybe even those closest to you. And though I’m not talking about standing up and proclaiming Jesus right this second, it does all lead back to that.
I’ve been stuck in a comfortable routine for quite a long time. But, in the beginning I felt like it was for a reason….and I firmly believe that it was. We had a mission and our focus was not ourselves. But, over time things began to change, mostly for me I suspect. And I say that because at some point, I began to become sick. And I believe that sickness was a result of ignoring God and staying in my comfort zone. Look folks, that comfort zone deposits checks and keeps you insured. So, I get it….its hard to step out when God doesn’t immediately provide a way forward financially. And for many, that’s the uncomfortable part, making it seemingly impossible to do.
As I began to regularly communicate with and seek the will and wisdom of Jesus, I began to see things differently. And when I did, I realized that my comfort zone…wasn’t so comfortable anymore. My heart became burdened and I could no longer stay silent. But for me, speaking up isn’t foreign, if and when it needs to be done. But, when you do that, you isolate yourself and that can leave some, overwhelmed with fear and anxiety. However, that didn’t happen to me and here is why….I woke up. And for the first time in my life, I said to God, I’m all in. But, you must know first….if you don’t build a relationship with Christ and constantly seek him….you will likely misinterpret what Jesus is communicating to you. So be careful, you’d be wise to consult with someone who walks with Christ, daily.
As God began to speak clearly to me….one day I realized, my “comfort zone” wasn’t so comfortable anymore. As I have surrendered my own will, God has given me comfort to begin something new. Will more discomfort come my way? Oh yes, the world around you will certainly try and make you uncomfortable….and everyone around you may try to pull you back. Worst of all, people are going to absolutely hate you for it. And that will never stop. But, as you learn to deal with those things, you will not remain uncomfortable forever.
But why would you put yourself in that situation? Well, as I previously stated, I’m awake. And when you do wake up, doing anything other than serving the Lord will bring discomfort because you no longer serve yourself. That in and of itself is a strange and unfamiliar concept. We live in a world that is self serving and you’re encouraged to love only yourself and look out for you. We’ve taken every measure possible to erase Jesus. And when you live in a culture that hates those who love Jesus, it does make it temporarily uncomfortable to step out, speak up, and refuse to follow societal norms. But when you keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, he will comfort you and give you what you need to continue. (Note that I said “need”)
I have prayed my whole life for courage, wisdom and strength. For a long time I couldn’t find it. Though I prayed for it….that’s where it stopped…with a prayer. I sought those things on my own, thinking that I would just wake up one morning, courageous, wise and strong, just because I prayed. It wasn’t until I realized, that if I’m not constantly communicating with Jesus and seeking these things through him, I would never receive them. And so I began that journey, to humble myself before Christ in an attempt to see through his eyes. He answered my prayers in his own time….I clearly wasn’t ready from the start. But let me warn you, when you begin to see things through his eyes, you will be absolutely sickened by this world and by the life you once lived. Then, you may realize that there’s no reason to fear the path ahead. The fear will become of not following Christ.
Folks, once you begin to follow Christ and seek his plan for your life, you’ll realize just how uncomfortable you were before. The only true comfort in life is knowing where you will be when it all ends. The only way to be certain of that is to surrender yourself to Christ and reject the “norms” of our Godless world. Once you do that…you will wake up. And you will only be temporarily uncomfortable.
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