Comfort Zone

Comfort zone. We hear that phrase quite often in our lives. Primarily in regards to doing things we don’t necessarily want to do. “Step out of your comfort zone” is what others tell us when it comes to getting out of the house, meeting new people, acting, and any number of things most people want to do. If you are like me, writing this blog puts me outside of my comfort zone. Many people just want to do things that make them feel secure or normal. The disciples definitely stepped out of their comfort zone when Jesus asked them to follow Him. Some would say that took a lot of courage; I say it took faith.

Faith is doing something without knowing the result. The disciples were being led by God, compelled by Jesus and comforted by the Holy Spirit. They had endured many hardships in their lives and we only get a small glimpse of what they endured in the Bible. I imagine it was many times worse than the information we are given.  Just think about walking into a room full of people who do not agree with a viewpoint you may have. The looks and comments alone dissuade many, causing them to leave immediately. Some stay and ignore the comments and looks to try and persuade others to choose their views. Others experience even harsher things such as brutal attacks and even attempts to take their life. Would you step outside your comfort zone at all if you knew what your reward would be? If it is a reward you like, I know I would.

But what if the reward doesn’t turn out the way you hoped? You sit next to someone and tell them about Christ and how He sacrificed His life for them so they can have an eternal life in Heaven with Him on a regular basis. You pour out every bit of knowledge you have been given to tell them of this great love knowing it may ultimately be rejected. That is devastating, but you stepped outside your comfort zone and did it anyway. Not everyone finds it easy to put aside those feeling of hurt and sadness at the loss of a soul for Heaven.

Can any of you imagine the ultimate rejection that Jesus suffered as well as many of his apostles? Jesus and others' lives were taken because some did not believe that they could go to heaven or that Jesus was the son of God and He was sent to save us from our sins. That is what makes me want to step outside of my comfort zone. It makes me want to help others come to know Jesus like I do. I am happy to come out of my comfort zone to welcome a new brother or sister in Christ.  What makes you want to come out of your comfort zone? If I can do anything with this message, I want to strongly encourage you to step outside of your comfort zone. If Jesus and his apostles can, so can I.