444. Changing The Comfort Zone

“Stan,” I said, “I feel really comfortable around you, and I enjoy it.  It’s a good feeling.”

“Well,” Stan replied, “I’m glad to hear that you feel that way.  I, too, am really comfortable around you.  I think the main reason for our mutual comfort is that is that you and I are on the same page in that there is a unity of the Spirit.”

“However,” he said, “I can tell you there was a time in my life when God was first stirring me to want to know Him, that He led me into situations with other Christians where I felt very uncomfortable.”

“How so?” I asked.

“I was not comfortable around them because they were so different.  I was clearly out of my comfort zone.”

Continuing, Stan said, “However, I soon realized that my response to these people who were new to my life was exactly what God intended.  He wanted me to be uncomfortable because the situations in which I was totally comfortable were the ones He wanted to eliminate from my life.  God wanted me to see the difference.”

“If you were so uncomfortable around Christians,” I asked, “why didn’t you just go back to or stay in your comfort zone?” 

“God’s grace and mercy,” Stan responded.  “He wanted me to be something I had never been.  And He used Christians to shine the light of Christ into the darkness of my life to dispel that darkness and to open me to want the light that only God has.”

Continuing, he said, “And God has made it clear to me that my role is to manifest the light of Christ wherever I go.  It’s part of being a disciple.  If I make people who may be in darkness uncomfortable because of that light, that is exactly what I am to do.  God does not want me to make those in darkness comfortable with continuing in their darkness.”

“No, in my situation I was made uncomfortable so that I would seek the comfort of the only One who can make me eternally comfortable.  If I make anyone comfortable in their darkness, I know I am way off base from where God intends for me to be.”

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And do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of the darkness, but instead even expose them.  Ephesians 5:11.

Prayer:  Thank you, Father, that you moved in me to make me uncomfortable with sin and darkness.  Thank you for bringing into my life people who manifested the light of Christ that dispelled the darkness.  I need all of the help you can provide in my following your lead to be a beacon of light shining into our dark world. I confess that there are times when I do not shine your light as you intend.  Please forgive me.  And please help me to follow your lead in manifesting the light of Christ so that it shines into lives and makes others uncomfortable so they want to seek the comfort that only you can and will provide.  Thank you I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus.  Amen.

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Things to think (and journal) about:

1.  What is your biggest take-away from this devotional?

2.  What does this devotional say about God and about us as His people?

3.  What is God saying to you to do personally?

4.  Who can you share this with to make a difference?

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Comments, questions, suggestions, and the like can be addressed to The Storyteller at: waiting4thetrain@gmail.com.