I am starting early today. I am not really sure what this next cold spell has in store for us. I know the temperatures are now considered dangerous. I might have to look into that phrase "when hell freezes over for tomorrow's devotional". My coffee this morning is Door County Highlander Grog. It is a blessing to have a hot cup filled with goodness and a warm car today.
We all have our comfort zones in life. Jobs. marriage, family, ministries, hobbies, church, and the list could go on for many more. In the title today I asked a question. Do not take this message out of context.
Psalm 37:23 (NKJV)
23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord,
And He delights in his way.
And He delights in his way.
Let's examine the family. So let's say you are married and have 3.2 kids. The kids are in middle school and grade school. Maybe one reaching high school. You now have become busier than ever. You are balancing jobs, a home, cheer leading , football, church and flute lessons with the kids. And then a season changes and it is swimming, baseball, and not harp lessons. You gotten into a comfort zone of survival. Eating pot pies in front of the television or eating in bedrooms while doing homework without any interaction as a family. But it works for now. The kids have learned to text each other to say "hey send the ketchup to my room please". Oh but that won't do. Let's get each kid a bottle of ketchup and a frig in their room.
You begin to wonder and pray. " God help us. This is not good". It's time to leave the comfort zone.
You know you have to limit the extra curricular activities. NO!! This will be a battle with the kids. We'll just have to limit or miss church to make up family time with a pancake breakfast for the family. Oh no! .2 kid has Sunday bowling and he is good at it. He only threw 6 gutter balls last week.
You see leaving what you have developed as a comfort zone is sometimes hard. But God will always lay out a plan that is better than what you have. When He calls us to leave a comfort zone, He will also require an adjustment of our lives to make it work. What's better? A dysfunctional family with a .2 kid that can bowl and play the harp or a family living for Jesus and pulling together in love?
Leaving this comfort zone will be hard. Baseball or football? Cheer leading or swimming? Flute or harp? Keep the harp! I like harp music. You will have resistance, but gain a family life that allows for time to worship, pray and serve a little.
This can be said for work, maybe a job change is in order to save your life, marriage and family? Maybe your marriage needs a spark. But no time to date your spouse is available. Time for a comfort zone change. So maybe a hobby has to go. Call to ministry and serve in a church? God requires us to leave our comfort zones and step out in faith. YOU CAN DO THIS. GOD SAYS SO.
1 Peter 2:21 God Calls Us
For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.2 Timothy 3:16-17 God Equips Us
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.Here's the skinny on the whole thing. At times our comfort zones are actually ruts in our lives. We just don't want to change and do better. So today sit back and think. Is this what God wants for me?
You might find yourself leading in church, eating ice cream with your kids, dating your spouse, and learning a new hobby.
God bless,
Marty
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