Everyone likes to be comfortable. I can remember an occasions when Martie and I
got to sit on a soft sofa after months of sitting on hard chairs in Haiti. Seems like a small thing, but the feeling was
exquisite. We like routine. Mainly because we know what to expect. There is no uncertainty in routine. Each day is like every other day. Each day, week, month and year like the
other. Routine. People find comfort in
that. Being around people who look like
you, believe like you, talk like you, do what you do … it is a comfortable
place to be. Watching a news report
about a war in a different land or the ravages of a natural disaster allows you
to be comfortable in your routine. You may
not be able to empathize – because you have never left your comfort zone – but you
can sympathize – at least until the commercial, supper or the start of your favorite program. We like to be comfortable and we don’t like
giving that comfort up.
If you are a Christian – born again by faith in Jesus – even
then you are most likely looking for the comfort found in a routine existence. Going to church – sitting in the same seat or
pew – talking to the same people – listening to the same sermons – routine. We love it – crave it even. But, like Pastor Rick Warren said “God is more
interested in your character, than in your comfort.” And
how does God develop godly character in you?
Not through routine. God calls
out of the routine for this world into the uncertain world of faith. Not knowing what will happen tomorrow – next week,
month or year. But we live in confidence,
by faith, knowing that God does.
I have quoted this before but it bears repeating. It is from
the C.S. Lewis book “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” Aslan is a type of
Jesus.
“Aslan is a lion- the Lion, the great Lion."
"Ooh" said Susan. "I'd thought he was a man. Is he-quite safe? I
shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion"..."Safe?" said
Mr. Beaver ..."Who said anything about safe? 'Course he isn't safe. But
he's good. He's the King, I tell you.”
God is not “safe” but He is good. He has our best in mind. He will disrupt your routine, if you allow
it. That is correct – He won’t make you abandon what is comfortable – but He
will invite you to leave it behind for something much better. What you see as “dangerous” depends upon the
maturity of your walk of faith. For a
child, putting their toes in the water may seem like a great
accomplishment. For an adult, jumping
off of the high-dive is a challenge.
Both require stepping into the unknown – the uncertain – the “anything
but routine” Jesus said “If anyone follows Me, he must deny himself, pick up his cross and
follow Me.” (Matthew 16:24) Are you a Jesus follower or Jesus
watcher? It is one thing to marvel at
the person jump off of the high-dive and quite another to grip the end of the
board with your toes right before you take that leap of faith.
As a first step, the Bible tells us to abandon our affection
for the things of this world and the comfort we find in them. To turn to God, the God of all comfort (2 Corinthians 1:3-4) He may tell you to
leave your “nets” and follow Him. There
is a song that comes to mind. Knowing
You Jesus – Graham Kendrick
“All I once held dear, Built my life upon. All the world reveres and wars to own. All I once thought gain, I have counted
loss. Spent and worthless now, compared
to this.
Knowing You, Jesus, knowing You. There is no greater thing. You're
my all, You're the best. You're my joy, my righteousness. And I love You, Lord
Now my heart's desire is to know You more. To be found in
You and known as Yours. To possess by faith what I could not earn. All-surpassing
gift of righteousness
Oh to know the power of Your risen life. And to know You in
Your sufferings. To become like You in Your death, my Lord. So with You to live
and never die”
As a Christian God calls you to leave what is comfortable – what is routine for something
greater – something eternal. So come on –
go ahead and put your toes in the water.
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