COMFORT ZONES

“Oh what I would do to have

The kind of faith it takes to climb out of this boat I’m in

Onto the crashing waves

To step out of my comfort zone

To the realm of the unknown where Jesus is

And He’s holding out His hand”

(Voice of Truth ~ Casting Crowns)

I do believe we all do reach this point where you’re not comfortable at the level you’re in, be it financially, spiritually, emotionally, career wise, name it! Where you desire to have that faith to get out and do what you know God has called you to do, but something holds you back; The fear of the unknown. That fear that makes you decide to settle in your comfort zone, a zone that you don’t like but choose to stay in anyway because it’s safe! Well it’s never a safe place!

Been there too many times and today as I was thinking about it all, this song by Casting Crowns came to mind. There are several things God had commissioned me to do, but I would remember the past, the times I tried and failed and I would hesitate to move as He wanted.  Do you remember the business you started but flopped as soon as it started? The times you’ve tried to have a child and gone to the best doctors but still nothing forthcoming? Or the many miscarriages you’ve had? What of the number of times you’ve had your heart broken in relationships even when you believed that it was ordained by God? What about the sick friend or relative that you fasted and prayed for but they still died? After going through such then God tells you to do the same thing again, the fear of failing will grip you!

Matt 14:28-30 (NIV)

28"Lord, if it's You," Peter replied, "tell me to come to You on the water." 29"Come," He said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!" 31 Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and caught him. "You of little faith," He said, "why did you doubt?"

Then I remembered Peter when he was told by Jesus “Come”, he did and he walked on water! The same water he had fished in and knew he always sank; here he was walking on it. He most definitely saw people drown and die in there, in his life as a fisherman. Then just like we normally do, Peter remembered the past and immediately he removed his eyes from Jesus, he begun to sink. We let the voices tell us what we can or cannot do, but in reality, its Only His Voice we should heed!

Phil 3:13-14 (NIV)

13Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Child of God, it may be hard but it’s doable! Yes you can start that business again; Yes you can love again; Yes you can try for that child again; Yes you can start that business again; Yes you can begin that ministry again! Once God has spoken, His words are Yea and Amen! It can be difficult, but God’s trust in you is not misplaced! He knew you would do it! So dare to get out of your comfort zone, kick that fear away and like Paul says, forget what is behind and press on toward the goal. Let the Voice of Truth be the one you choose to listen to!

But the voice of truth tells me a different story

And the voice of truth says, “Do not be afraid!”

And the voice of truth says, “This is for My glory”

Out of all the voices calling out to me

I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth

(Voice of Truth ~ Casting Crowns)

Shallom