September 02, 2005

Comfort Zone

I'm an easy going guy, and for the most part its an asset, especially here in Thailand, but being too easy going means I back away from the difficult or the uncomfortable

I love peace not confrontation, I love comfort not challenges
I love the fruits, but not the hard work
The thing is I'm the one missing out,
God has called me to do more than just the easy

As much as I want it too the Bible DOESN'T say
"All things will go easily for those who love the Lord"

Everythings is cruisy in my comfort zone
my comfort zone comprises of things that I've done before, things I know I can do, anything anytime anyplace where I am self-competent and self-confident.
I manage to hover around in this area alot, occasionally puting one foot out
God never intended for me to live here though

Its time to shift residency, its time to jump right out there into the unknown void of known as the "Uncomfortable Zone"
This zone comprises of things that I'm pretty sure I can't do, it comprises of relying on God ... and relying on Him for things that I never have before, to enable be to do things I've never done before, I don't even trust myself in this area to trust in God.

Its scary ... I mean 'theoretically' I know God will never me or forsake, 'theoretically' I know God is going to give me the words to speak, 'theoretically' I know God will be my source and my strength.
And all this theory is just great and oh so warm and nice, while sitting in the comfy comfort zone, but its a whole different ballgame in the 'uncomfortable zone' its now all I've got. I find myself scrambling around, trying to find something in my "I've done that before" toolbox to help but there's nothing.
The only thing I've got is God promises

Its time to get uncomfortable ... because while I'm comfortable I will only do whats easy, and if I do that then I'm not going to grow.
Its the difficult times that will grow me, its endurance and patience that leads to faith, a faith that is TRUE and not just 'theoretical'

3 comments:

Katy said...

Hey Tom,
Thanks for this post. It was really good for me to read. Right now I'm living in a very scary, uncomfortable, even painful situation in my own life. Like you said, "theoretically" I know it is all part of God's best for me, but it still is hard. Waiting and trusting are difficult. Like you, all I have to lean on are God's promises...but really, what more could I ask for? Thanks for being open and sharing your heart. You'll be in my prayers as God takes you into the uncomfortable. As hard as that is, I know he will be molding you into an even godlier man than you already are.
Blessings,
Katy

Anonymous said...

Hey Thomas
What a great blog to read Kiddo, thoughts from me to you are: Jump in two feet. The questions you ask are: What next Lord, What do you think Lord, How do you want this to go Lord, wow I can hardly type these words I am sooooooo excited for you yaaaaaaaaa.. Did you know "the deeper the water the better you float" Luv ya - Mother Duck

Jess said...

When I read your blogs, I feel encouraged to see someone else on the same journey...I sense a kindred spirit in your blogs :) Being at my church and serving there (oh so faithfully!) has definitely been uncomfortable...irritable at most times. I complain, I cry, I get frustrated and angry that I'm not with my fellow peers having "comfortable" fellowship. However, I've grown so much at my church now! God is so faithful even though I'm such a complaining brat!