Are You Comfortable?

The Lord put it on my spirit saying that one of the ways we can really grow spiritually is when we move outside of our comfort zone. When I look at my own life for examples, so many of the times that I've had spiritual breakthroughs was when I was willing to do something that was uncomfortable, something I would rather not do. I have found myself again having to learn to move outside of my comfort zone recently, to really be willing to put myself out there. It has been a little scary, truth be told, but each time it gets easier. It is being willing to take that first step that is the hardest part.

When we are too comfortable, it is easy to get lazy. It is easy to lose sight of the goal in being obedient to Christ. Even worse, it is easier to find ourselves falling into a state of lukewarmness. Look at many of the comfortable churches, and then look at the church and nations where persecution exists and is common place, and consider the two examples. What do you see?

Jesus said,

Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. ~ Matthew 16:24 (KJV)


What I wonder is, why is it common assumption that this does not apply to us? Why is it believed that we do not need to do anything else once we are saved? I once heard it said that when it comes to our relationship with God, we are either moving forward in it or we are moving back. There is no standing still. If we expect to move forward, we need to be willing to do our part as well. It's not all on God. He wants us to do our part. We have to move whichever way He wants us to move. We need to be willing to take up our crosses and follow Christ.

Do you really want to know how far ahead you can move? Do you want to see God really moving in your life? Do you want God to use you? Then when there is something He wants you to do, no matter what it is, even if it is something you really don't want to do . . . do it anyway. It's hard, but like I said before, the hardest part is simply being willing. Once we have taken that first step, it gets easier. When you are willing, when you do step out there and do whatever it is He is moving you to do, you will find yourself advancing spiritually. You will find Him moving in your life.