Philippians 1:22
I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.
Out of the Comfort Zone
It is difficult to share the gospel with unbelievers isn’t it? I know because I’ve done it and sometimes I just walk past the person that I desired to tell about Christ. Maybe it’s because I know that most will reject the good news and many will despise me for even bringing it up but we are all ministers of the gospel and directed to make disciples of all nations (Matt 28:19-20; Acts 1:8), even if it’s right next door. It really makes me feel uncomfortable but then speaking of discomfort, think about that person you know or the stranger in the street’s eternity without Christ. If we think about their eternity (Rev 20:12-15) it might make us think less about our temporary discomfort in telling them why they need the Savior. Is God asking you to share your faith today, even though it might make you uncomfortable? Are you still able to say “yes” to God?
Jesus’ Discomfort
Can anyone even imagine what Jesus was facing before Calvary? He prayed to have that cup removed from Him more than once (Matt 26:39) but still chose to take on the vile cup of human depravity, full of the dregs of sinful mankind. He didn’t depend on His feelings but still said, “Your will be done.” If Jesus had depended upon being comfortable and making His decision based upon comfort, then He would not have gone to the cross, but we are thankful of course that He choose the greatest of all discomfort and went for our sake. Part of Jesus’ discomfort was His knowing that He was going to be taking on every sin of every human that had ever lived, was living, and would live in the future, even though He was totally without sin. He became sin for us so that the Father would no longer see sinful creatures but the righteousness of Christ (2 Cor 5:21). What if God asks you to do something that makes you feel uncomfortable? Will you…will I say “Your will be done” and say yes?
Facing the Giants
David, the shepherd boy at the time, really had great faith in His God and wasn’t worried about stepping out in faith and out of his comfort zone. Joshua when crossing over into the Promised Land didn’t concern himself with the discomfort of new territory and hostile enemies because He knew that God would be with him (Joshua 1:9). Can we remember that God is with us too even when we go into the hard places? I spoke with one man who was going door to door in a part of town where the crime rate was very high. Certainly he was stepping out to do something that God has asked him to do that made him feel uncomfortable but he still said yes. I can’t blame him if he didn’t go because I’m not sure I would have done what he did but He said “Yes” to God and “no” to his own comfort. What about you and me? If God asks us to do something that makes us feel uncomfortable, will we still say yes? Good question, isn’t it?
A Closing Prayer
Father, I know Your Son did what had to be the most difficult thing ever…but He said “Yes” to Your will so please give me the courage and fortitude to step out and do the uncomfortable if it is Your will and in Jesus’ Great Name I pray.
Amen
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