“Never be afraid to do something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark; professionals built the titanic.”
~Anonymous
A popular encouragement mentioned from the pulpits of America is “We need to get out of our comfort zone.” We nod our head; some of us may give an “Amen” while others sit quietly wondering “What is a comfort zone? What is MY comfort zone?” Good question. It’s difficult to get out of something we cannot identify. So what is a “comfort zone”? The best way I can describe a “comfort zone” is as follows: the space in which we live that doesn’t cause us anxiety and doesn’t create an element of risk. It seems to me that if we want the supernatural in our lives there must be an element of risk involved coupled with a tad bit of anxiety.
June 8, 2008 was an eventful day in our lives. That was the Sunday we stood before the church and presented our vision for LIFT Student Ministries. Of course, as most of you know, that vision included Dan “transitioning” out of his role at church and into a full-time role as the Executive Director of LIFT Student Ministries. It was at that moment we entered an“uncomfortable zone”. Here is how:
1. We stepped away from a 26 year ministry we knew inside and out.
2. We stepped away from financial stability into the world of becoming “self-supportive” during of the worst economies in our lifetime.
3. We moved away from the normalcy of having our family home together, enjoying the day to day activities (soccer practice/games, school activities/programs, devotions/prayer time, not to mention, after 15 years of worshiping together, we are apart more Sundays than we are together).
4. We are adjusting to how longtime friendships are impacted by separation all the while building and cultivating new relationships.
5. We are “raising” money which is hugely “uncomfortable” for us. Although we are most thankful for the generosity of people, we are much better givers that receivers.
These are just a few examples of how we stepped, well actually jumped from the comfortable to the not so comfortable. Let’s look to the scriptures for others who opted to step out of their “comfort zone” in pursuit of God’s will for their lives. First, Peter…
Meanwhile, the boat was far out to sea when the wind came up against them and they were battered by the waves. At about four o'clock in the morning, Jesus came toward them walking on the water. They were scared out of their wits. "A ghost!" they said, crying out in terror. But Jesus was quick to comfort them. "Courage, it's me. Don't be afraid." Peter, suddenly bold, said, "Master, if it's really you, call me to come to you on the water." He said, "Come ahead."
Jumping out of the boat, Peter walked on the water to Jesus. ~ Matthew 14:24-29 (The Message)
I love The Message’s version of this familiar scripture. It says that Peter jumped out of the boat. With the storms raging around, bounding thunder and piercing lightening, waves which nearly overtook the boat, Peter jumped. Even though their boat was under siege what was the concern? They were experienced fishermen, right? I am sure they survived similar storms in the past. One thing was for certain, jumping out of the boat would surely mean death. Yet, Peter jumped… He moved from what was comfortable and familiar to pursue Christ.
Now Let’s take a look at Moses…
~ Exodus 6:29, 30 (The Message)
God addressed Moses, saying, "I am God. Tell Pharaoh king of Egypt everything I say to you."
And Moses answered, "Look at me. I stutter. Why would Pharaoh listen to me?"
~ Exodus 7: 6, 7 (The Message)
Moses and Aaron did exactly what God commanded. Moses was eighty and Aaron eighty-three when they spoke to Pharaoh.
Moses stuttered. How insecure he must have been when speaking to people. I am sure he was perfectly fine and comfortable listening to a conversation rather than being a contributor. My how stunned he must have been when Jehovah chose him to be His own messenger. He would be the mouth-piece of God, Himself. He would be the one to speak on behalf of the entire Nation of Israel, his people, God’s people. I love what is written in Exodus 7:6 – “Moses and Aaron did exactly what God commanded”. They ventured from the comfortable to the uncomfortable, delivered the Nation of Israel and accomplished God’s perfect will.
Now, to one of my favorites, Esther…
~ Esther 4:1-16 (The Message)
I know this passage is a bit lengthy but necessary to capture the essence of what Esther risked.
1-3 When Mordecai learned what had been done, he ripped his clothes to shreds and put on sackcloth and ashes. Then he went out in the streets of the city crying out in loud and bitter cries. He came only as far as the King's Gate, for no one dressed in sackcloth was allowed to enter the King's Gate. As the king's order was posted in every province, there was loud lament among the Jews—fasting, weeping, wailing. And most of them stretched out on sackcloth and ashes.
4-8 Esther's maids and eunuchs came and told her. The queen was stunned. She sent fresh clothes to Mordecai so he could take off his sackcloth but he wouldn't accept them. Esther called for Hathach, one of the royal eunuchs whom the king had assigned to wait on her, and told him to go to Mordecai and get the full story of what was happening. So Hathach went to Mordecai in the town square in front of the King's Gate. Mordecai told him everything that had happened to him. He also told him the exact amount of money that Haman had promised to deposit in the royal bank to finance the massacre of the Jews. Mordecai also gave him a copy of the bulletin that had been posted in Susa ordering the massacre so he could show it to Esther when he reported back with instructions to go to the king and intercede and plead with him for her people.
9-11 Hathach came back and told Esther everything Mordecai had said. Esther talked it over with Hathach and then sent him back to Mordecai with this message: "Everyone who works for the king here, and even the people out in the provinces, knows that there is a single fate for every man or woman who approaches the king without being invited: death. The one exception is if the king extends his gold scepter; then he or she may live. And it's been thirty days now since I've been invited to come to the king."
12-14 When Hathach told Mordecai what Esther had said, Mordecai sent her this message: "Don't think that just because you live in the king's house you're the one Jew who will get out of this alive. If you persist in staying silent at a time like this, help and deliverance will arrive for the Jews from someplace else; but you and your family will be wiped out. Who knows? Maybe you were made queen for just such a time as this."
15-16 Esther sent back her answer to Mordecai: "Go and get all the Jews living in Susa together. Fast for me. Don't eat or drink for three days, either day or night. I and my maids will fast with you. If you will do this, I'll go to the king, even though it's forbidden. If I die, I die."
Here is the situation…Haman set out to annihilate Israel. Mordecai, Esther’s uncle, sent word to her. He asked her to go before the King, unannounced to speak on behalf of Israel, her people, to save them from extinction. Her initial response was one of hesitation – going to the King unannounced could possibly mean death. If she didn’t step away from her safe, comfortable place, risking her life in the meantime, her family, and yes Esther, herself would be murdered at the hands of Haman. As you read you saw the King did welcome her and within course of a few days, Haman was the one hung on the very gallows he built for Israel.
Peter jumped…
Moses ventured…
Esther risked…
What will be said of you?
Will you remain comfortable or will you take a risk, venture out and jump in?
In Him,
Stefanie
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