God doesn’t want us to stay where we feel good. He calls us to live a life for Him, radically, in every aspect of our lives... I was listening to a mentor of mine the other day as she was telling me about what God has been teaching her. She was expressing how she had become very comfortable at the church she was at. She was experiencing little growth, but didn’t want to leave. However, as she told me, God is firmly telling her to go to a place that will take her deeper in her walk with Christ and challenge her. Every Sunday, she hears messages on grace and forgiveness. She told me that while these messages were beautiful when she first came to Christ, they no longer are what she needs spiritually. She needs depth – and more time in the Word.
At some point in everyone’s faith, we reach a point of comfort. We don’t want to move, because we as human beings like to feel buttered up and have warm fuzzies in our hearts. Before I continue, I’d like you to ask yourself these questions: Do I consider myself a Christian, a follower of Christ? Do I seek out His word and His will for my life? Why am I, or am I not, going to a certain church? Am I being challenged, convicted, and encouraged in my walk with Christ? As I was saying, we like to stick with what we’re comfortable with, or what we’re used to. However, God doesn’t want us to stay where we feel good. He calls us to live a life for Him, radically, in every aspect of our lives; this includes the church you attend. If you are staying somewhere because it makes you feel good, or because that’s what your family has been doing for 3 generations, you are doing it wrong. Take a look at this verse: “Going on from there He saw two brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and He called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him.” (Matthew 4:21-22) James and John left their comfort zone and followed Him. If you think, “Oh, but that’s different than my situation,” allow me to interrupt your train of thought. Look at these two verses. James and John were in a boat with their dad, mending their nets – this was basically their family business. Their trade was handed down to them through generation after generation. This was their tradition, and all they really knew. (aka Comfort Zone of James and John) So when Jesus calls them, what do they do? Say, “Hang on bro, I’ve got to finish fixing this net”, “I can’t leave this place – it’s all I know. And my family will hate me if I leave!” or “No, man. I can’t go right now. Come back tomorrow when I’ve thought about it”? NO. The verse says, “IMMEDIATELY they left the boat and their father, and followed Him.” This, my friends, is how we are to approach those places in our lives where we feel comfortable. If God is calling for you to go somewhere else, or if you feel the Holy Spirit tugging at you to leave, go. Immediately. Do not stay where you are cozy when God has a plan for your life. His plan always requires compromise, and if you are a true Christian, you must be willing to compromise. Faith isn’t just about grace and forgiveness. Faith must be put into action. Put your faith in God and His perfect plan.No faith is required in staying where it feels safe. 2 Peter 3:18 says, “but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ…” Grow. Peter didn’t say sit, sleep, or stay where you are in the grace and knowledge or Christ. He says to grow. Are you growing? If not, God may be calling you to go somewhere else. My family made the tough call many years ago to leave a church we had been a part of for a very long time. It was not easy. People weren’t happy that we left, and my parents received plenty of criticism. However, we knew where God was telling us to go. And we went. This was a completely faith-based decision – faith in God and His plan for our lives. This church helped my family grow spiritually and challenged us to be more like Christ. The Scriptural teaching I received at that church prepared me for many experiences in my life. Leaving your comfort zone and what you’re used to isn’t easy – it’s difficult. Trust God. Trust His plan. Live out your faith. I’d like to share one last thing with you. Remember the mentor I mentioned earlier? She has only been a Christian for 3 years. And she is willing to leave her comfort zone and go to where God is leading her. As what some may call a “baby Christian,” she has already trusted God more than many Christians actually do. She has left her home, her loved ones, and her livelihood. She has turned her business into a ministry as God directed her. And now, as a Christian of 3 years, she is allowing God to yet again take her to another place, and another part of His plan. I challenge you to listen to where God is leading. Is He calling you to go to a different church, a different school, a different job? Or is He calling you to start following His plan? I pray you listen to His voice. Following Christ and trusting His plan has been the most rewarding, challenging, and beautiful experience of my life. Difficult, yes; but I do not regret any of it. -AL
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AuthorI'm a college student with a passion to empower women, spread the love of Christ, and speak truth into the darkness. I also really like cats and Taylor Swift. Archives
October 2018
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