My
random thought(s) for the day…the moment.
I
like being comfortable. I’m a man! I have a lazy boy recliner at home that I
like to watch movies and play video games.
I like being comfortable! I have
shorts and shirts that I’m not allowed to wear outside my home because according
to my wife “it reflects her, too.” I
wear them because they are comfortable.
Sometimes during the summer I just want a tube and a lazy river because
it’s comfortable. Sometimes I just want
to stay in my office and not be bothered because I’m comfortable. I don’t want
to move because I’m comfortable. I have
a very nice bed and lots of pillows and it’s comfortable. I don’t like change either because I’d rather
be comfortable! I love people and I love
talking and sharing with people but to be honest I’d rather be home in my lazy
boy and just be comfortable! I could go
on and on and on…how about you? Do you
like to be comfortable? Yes! Me, too!
But
then…
I
study God’s Word because I want to apply it to my walk and grow to be more like Jesus…and
I observe things like this…
Abraham…God asked him
to move from the land he was comfortable in, his homeland, and he did! God told him that he would be the father of
many nations and then gave him the promised child at an old age. But proceeded to ask Abraham to give up being
comfortable as a parent and sacrifice this promised child! And Abraham did…although God intervened and
provided a ram. Abraham was willing to give
up being comfortable for being faithful!
Joseph…He was
comfortable being the favorite son of Jacob.
It made his brothers uncomfortable so they returned the favor. Joseph even though thrown in a pit, sold into
slavery, being falsely accused, and being forgotten about…he never was
comfortable in compromising his integrity to the Lord. He would rather have been uncomfortable in his
suffering than compromise his faith. He
realized that in his uncomfortable situation, God was bigger, had a plan, and purpose. Joseph was willing to give up being
comfortable for being faithful!
Peter and John…There is a
story in Acts where Jesus’ Apostles, Peter and John, were flogged because they
were teaching and sharing the Gospel message of Jesus Christ; being flogged for that message they considered an honor. They were asked to stop but they had no fear
of death and they continued with preaching the Gospel. The same Gospel that would get Stephan stoned
to death! The same Gospel that would
have John’s brother James beheaded. The
same Gospel that would claim the lives of so many faithful followers of Jesus. They loved Jesus no matter the cost! They were willing to give up being
comfortable for being faithful!
Paul…Here is a guy
that one minute is persecuting Jesus’ church.
He’s well educated and respected in the academic world as well as the
Hebrew culture and much more. He was comfortable! But then
he is blinded by the light of Jesus! God said that he would become an instrument
of suffering for His purpose. Paul
embraced this suffering! There is even a
story in Acts where Paul goes right back into the city that just stoned him and
failed to kill him. No Fear! He was a man on a mission to preach and teach
Jesus Christ! Even when he was in
prison! He was uncomfortable and he was
willing be that way if meant that Jesus Christ would be glorified! Paul was willing to be uncomfortable for
being faithful!
Jesus…Our Savior who
went from hearing the praises of Angles, from being in Heaven…came to this
earth and wasn't comfortable. He just
left home with no place to call home here on earth. He knew He was the suffering servant! He knew He would be rejected. He knew He would be betrayed! He knew He
would be abandoned! He knew He would be
beaten, mocked, and humiliated! He knew that He would ultimately suffer and die!
He did because He loved us more! He did it because He knew we were condemned
to die and we couldn't pay our debt! He
became more uncomfortable than anyone so we could ultimately find comfort in
Him! Jesus focused on being faithful and
obedient to His Father than to being comfortable! Jesus focused on setting the
example for us to follow than with focused on Jesus focused on His love for God
and for us than being comfortable! I
could go and on and on…
There
is more to these men and their stories above…there is more stories in the Old
and New Testament about God’s people willing to give up being comfortable for
being faithful!
I
say all of that to say this…I feel like a complete wimp!
Why do I want to
be comfortable here on earth?
This place is not my home!
Why do I want to
be comfortable when those that came before me and set the example that I read
in Scripture weren’t? I’m told there is nothing for me to fear when
I’m in the Lord!
Why would I
rather be comfortable and not talk to people about the Lord? There is too much pain, heartache,
sinfulness, and much more for me to not say anything!
Why would I
rather be comfortable in living as the old man rather than living as the new
creation in Christ? Because it’s easier to sin and it’s more acceptable
to this world rather to live righteously and obediently simply because that’s harder.
I
could go on and on and on and on…
I
was going to load this up with some scripture but there are so many texts in
the Bible that call us to move out of our comfort zone! For starters read the words of Jesus throughout
the Gospels!
This
is just my thought for the day…for the moment!
It is easier to comfortable! But
the world needs Jesus! It’s not the job
of someone else to do Matthew 28:18-20…it’s
my job! It’s yours!
As
Christians…those that truly belong to Jesus! We are called to be faithful! We are called to be obedient! We are called to love God and people! We are called to let our lights shine before
all men that God will receive the glory!
We are called to make disciples for Jesus! We are called to preach and teach God’s Word
soundly and truthfully!
We
are not called to be
comfortable!
