Living Outside of the Comfort Zone

Once you get to know me, you will find my comfort zone is quite small. Just ask my family or my closest friends--I hate talking on the phone, meeting new people, being put in new situations, and the times leading up to change. By looking at my life from the outside, it may not always appear like this. But from the inside, you will see a constant fight with my comfort zone.

The most valuable lesson I have learned throughout the past two years is to live outside of my comfort zone. It isn't an easy thing to do. But let me tell you--it is so worth it.

Although I talked about living in the regular in my last blog post, my life's "regular" has become a bit different. My life isn't within the confines of my comfort zone anymore. I have learned that if I want to achieve big things, I need to live outside my comforts. Whether this means simply answering a phone call or following God's call to live in a different country this summer, doing difficult things is important and worthwhile.

Everyone has a different comfort zone. Some people could talk to strangers on the phone all day and be happy. Some people (like me) could sit around at home all day in silence and be completely content. The content of your comfort doesn't matter. Being able to stretch your comfort is more important for success in whatever you are doing, and more importantly, in following God's call for your life.

A lot of times people make it look like following God's calling is easy. They make it look glamorous. It almost always looks like they are simply taking huge steps to serve Him. But most often, it isn't that simple. I'll be the first to admit--following God's call is challenging. It's not always glamorous. A lot of times, it can include tears, sorrow, and a whole lot of prayer. However, in the end, you will always find that following His calling is the best choice for your life, even if it is the hardest.

God often calls us to leave our comfort zones. But God equips us for it. We just have to trust Him. I will leave you with Hebrews 13:20-21,

"Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen."

Stand Firm and Be Bold

A few blog posts ago, I mentioned noticing a few themes throughout the New Testament. First, love. In my eyes, loving others is the most important part of evangelism. The other theme I have noticed is the phrase, "Stand firm and be bold." After realizing the things that I was learning, I have recognized that God is preparing me for evangelism.

Throughout the New Testament, these two things are repeated over and over, and my mind automatically correlates them. In 1 Corinthians 16:13, it says, "Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong." And in Acts 4:29, the Bible says, "And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness..."

This is certainly not the only time the New Testament mentions standing firm and speaking boldly. Faith that stands firm is an inward issue. This is necessary for speaking boldly. You cannot speak with boldness without a strong faith.

The first part is difficult. It is hard to continue praying, reading the Bible, and growing your relationship with God. I believe everyone has this struggle at some point in their life, probably more often than not. On the hand, the second part can be even more difficult for some people.

If you knew me when I was younger, you would know that I was one of the shyest kids you would ever meet. I only spoke at home, and did not speak at school until about second or third grade. I have always been introverted, so speaking boldly has not always been my forte. However, God has called me to speak with boldness.

2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 speaks of God making us worthy of His calling. He can be funny sometimes. Instead of using our strengths, He often uses our weaknesses to do His work through us. In 2 Corinthians 12:9, the Bible says, "But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

First, it is on the inside. You need to be firm in faith. Then, He calls us to action by loving others and speaking boldly. I may think it is ironic that God is calling me to speak boldly. However, I believe God knows exactly what He is doing. He is working through my weaknesses. The New Testament has taught me a lot about how to evangelize to others. It sounds easy. Stand firm. Speak boldly. Love. This is far from easy, but He does make it easy to understand. He is a great mystery, but through the Bible, He teaches us how to easily share His saving works and amazing grace.