Comfort vs. Adventure

un·com·fort·a·ble

ˌənˈkəmfərdəb(ə)l,ˌənˈkəmftərbəl/

adjective

1. causing or feeling slight pain or physical discomfort.

   "athlete's foot is a painful and uncomfortable condition"

   synonyms:

   painful, disagreeable, intolerable, unbearable, confining, cramped "an uncomfortable chair"

   • causing or feeling unease or awkwardness.

     "he began to feel uncomfortable at the man's hard stare"

     synonyms:

     uneasy, awkward, nervous, tense, ill-at-ease, strained, edgy, restless,embarrassed, troubled, worried, anxious, fraught, rattled, twitchy,discombobulated, antsy

I was talking with some friends tonight about getting out of our comfort zones--and how uncomfortable that makes us feel.  I readily admitted how comfortable I'd gotten living in Borger for 26 years.  I'd made wonderful friends and was very comfortable with them.  Looking back, I wonder how many opportunities I missed out on or how many people felt snubbed by me?  All because I was comfortable and it was awkward to invite someone into my very comfortable life.

God didn't call me to be comfortable.  He told me to "go and tell" and to love my neighbors.  He didn't call me to a comfortable, traditional, or even rote church service.  God never wanted me in a box.  I believe He has always wanted me to expect the unexpected.  I believe He wants to work in our lives in a peculiarly unique way.  Think of all the great men and women of faith in the Bible.  We love their stories because of how extraordinary they are--David killing Goliath, the walls of Jericho falling because of trumpet blasts, Moses crossing the Red Sea, Deborah leading an army to battle, Peter's chains falling off and prison doors opening for him, Jesus healing a blind man with spit.  The lists goes on and on.  And I wouldn't describe any of those people as "comfortable." 

I'm tired of being comfortable.  I want an adventure!  Moving to Groom was that for me.  It's been exciting making new friends...and finding people who are passionate about the things of God!  Today, Andy led the church in an "out-of-the-box-church-service" experience and I loved it!  I think that even excites God--to see a people willing to obey and follow the Spirit wherever He leads.  

I believe "comfortable" describes the church in America today.  When we're unwilling to change, unwilling to grow, unwilling to do new things, unwilling to allow new people in...we're saying we're perfectly satisfied just the way we are.  There's no adventure...and no life.  And doors close.

Ask God for an adventure!!  I bet you'll get one.