All my life I’ve valued being comfortable over pretty much everything else. Growing up, I typically declined sleepover invitations so that I could sleep in my own bed and have that sense of home that I love so much. I rewatch the same tv shows and movies because I know how they end, I have and always will choose athleisure clothing over jeans, and I have ordered the exact same cookie dough from chocolate concrete from Andy’s Frozen Custard since 2008. Creature of habit, homebody, call it what you want, but as someone (probs from the midwest) once said “If it ain’t broke, don’t break it.”
Now, I know I sound like I’m an unsocial nerd, which is sometimes usually partially true, but I just enjoyed being in control of the situation. At home, I could do what I pleased and I never had to feel anxious about being out of my comfort zone.
When Trevor and I first started dating, I went to visit him in Dallas for a long weekend. My flight down there was canceled and the new one they placed me on required me to drive 2 hours and be at the airport for a 6 am takeoff, only to be delayed for 6 hours due to thunderstorms. I started to get upset because the plans weren’t working out how I expected and all I could think about was how much I was missing out on by being delayed. Trevor was calm as ever (as he always is- something I love about him), and knew our plans could be flexible; we would just enjoy whatever time we had together.
When I finally arrived, we spent the weekend together and both felt a little awkward. By the end of the weekend we realized we were putting ourselves in a tough situation by spending 5 days straight together after we had only been dating a short time. I felt like I couldn’t relax the whole weekend because I was so far out of my comfort zone. I was overthinking everything (classic Nat) to the point where having a deep conversation was difficult. I think we were both unsure at that point if the relationship would make it because of my fears of trying new things and being adventurous.
The last day together threw me for a loop. He surprised me with rock climbing at an indoor rock climbing gym and for anyone else in the world that sounds like a great time. However, for me it was something I hadn’t tried before, so I didn’t feel confident that I could even do it (plus I was a little afraid of heights). I didn’t even want to try. It was not the surprise I expected and I didn’t want to look like an idiot in front of him. It was definitely not the reaction he expected either. What did I have to be afraid of? Why wasn’t I confident in my abilities and why did I fear failure so much?
I went rock climbing and actually enjoyed it and, needless to say, our relationship carried on and I worked on communicating and being more vulnerable with him. Somehow he saw past my worried little mindset and decided to stick with me. For that I am so thankful. Trevor has had a big part in getting me out of my comfort zone and is always challenging me to not play it safe, like I would prefer. However, I can’t give Trevor all the credit.
As Christians, many of us think that living in a safe little box is how we are called to follow Jesus. By playing it safe and sticking to what we’re comfortable with, we never have to face failure and we think that sticking to what we know will keep us in the good with God. Instead, we think we’ve got it down and go about our routines, inflexible and oblivious to the opportunities that God may be placing right in front of our faces. We judge others who are “failing” by our standards and become envious of those who break out of the norms.
Do you think this is the lifestyle God has chosen for His people? To be stuck in our ways and content with sitting on the sidelines? I don’t think this is the life God has planned for us and it is evident through the life of His Son, Jesus.
Jesus trusted His Father completely and knew that God was right there with him in whatever he set out to do; whether it be casting out demons, healing the sick, defending himself against Pharisees, or entering into Jerusalem for his certain death. Before Jesus was put to death on the cross for our sin, he instructed his disciples,
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” -Matthew 28:16-20
Do you think this was an easy task Jesus assigned them? No. Jesus wasn’t asking them to just post a gif on Facebook with a pretty picture asking their friends to follow Jesus. He was asking them to go out into the WORLD to places where they would NOT be welcomed. They would instead be persecuted and risking their lives daily to spread the Word of God and the Good News of Jesus Christ. However, Jesus promised them he would be with them ALWAYS. They could be confident in pursuing this mission with God on their side.
Now, I’m not saying to quit your job and become a missionary, but just to consider this: Jesus was bold in his time. He didn’t care what other people thought. He was confident in his identity as the Messiah. The disciples went out and did their thing and succeeded in bringing Christianity all over the world. We know they had their struggles, but they knew that God’s plan for them was much bigger than any troubles in this world. If we had even half of the trust in God that they did, we wouldn’t be afraid of failure or pushing the limits.
Maybe there is a rock wall standing in front of you today. Maybe you’ve been feeling discontentment in your life. Maybe you’re afraid to step out of your comfort zone for fear of failure. Or, maybe God is leading you to a bigger plan. I don’t know what kind of challenges you are mulling over, but I can guarantee you that if you pray to God and trust in Him, He will unveil plans for your life far greater than you or I can imagine. He is good and He is worth getting out of our comfortable space for. God has chosen us for a bigger life.
“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit- fruit that will last- and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.” -John 15:16
Comfort•able: isn’t it much more comforting to know that we have an Almighty God that is watching over us and making perfect plans for us? That is the kind of comfort I want and I pray that God will open our eyes to where He is calling us.
