“Mmm, Kendra, are you sure? Are you going to be safe?”
“Oh man, you’re going to be so out of your comfort zone.”
I’ve heard these two statements time and time again. But can I ask you back a question?
Do you really have faith if you only go where there is comfort and safety?
I mean, is FAITH really about going where you can SEE that you are safe? Going to where you are COMFORTABLE? Maybe you even stretched your comfort zone a little bit, but you still are living in the same life that you always have, but just some small changes to be a little bit more uncomfortable and to make yourself feel like you have sacrificed for the name of Jesus.
OR is faith being SURE of what we HOPE for and CERTAIN of what we DO NOT see? (Hebrews 11:1)
A couple of things (all based off scripture):
I am going to go to unsafe places.
I promise you that I am going to go to some places that aren’t “safe” but I serve a God who is WITH me (Emmanuel) and I am not going alone—I am going with the King of the universe. He has me. *Matthew 1:23
God hasn’t called me to Safety.
He’s called me to go with Him in the direction of His will—wherever that may lead me. I don’t get to call the shots, but I get to live in a free of bondage faith that is completely surrendered to the power of Christ. It’s beautiful. *Romans 12:1-2
My safety lies in the name of Jesus.
The only thing that I have that is SAFE in my life—is my hope in Jesus. His life, his death and his resurrection is my safety. I get to swim in the beautiful assurance that I am considered righteous because of what Jesus did and my name is written on his hand. I am HIS—and that is the most beautiful and safe place to be. *2 Thessalonians 2:16
Nothing about Jesus’ life was safe.
He went hand in hand with the least of these. The cheaters. The traitors. The liars. He went to the dark places. Heck, he refused to do what the leaders of the land told him to do. He was spit on. He was beaten. He walked this earth with a scandalous grace, a crazy love, and an unbelievable passion. He wasn’t safe. He died for what He believed in. He was God. He was with God! And that was enough! *Matthew 45:41-46
I am with The Comforter
We need to redefine what COMFORT is. Because if I am told that the Comforter is sent with me—then I am always comfortable. That is comfort. That is where The Comforter and Prince of Peace reign—IN ME. So, wherever we go, we are comfortable. *John 14:26
Here’s the thing guys, fear is not of the Lord (2 Timothy 1:7). There are some crazy, dangerous places out there in the world. And I may step foot in them, I may actually put up a tent and sleep in it’s presence. However, if I believe in God and I believe in HIS word—then I am good. I am so good. I am in the presence of my King, I am WITH my Savior, I am in the midst of comfort and peace.
I am of the Lord.
We have got to get back to a point where we believe in the TRUTH OF GOD’S WORD over the facts of our circumstances.
Can I dare you to live a life that is unsafe and uncomfortable in the words eyes? Because if you and I rock with the same King, you are ALWAYS safe and you ALWAYS drowning with comfort.
I’ll close with this prayer—
Father, can you remind us of these truths? Can you settle our hearts in the truth of who you are? Can you make it known to us so loudly that you alone are enough? The facts of our circumstances drown us sometimes. We choose to believe so hard in this world and we forget that you overcame this world. That the facts that are here don’t even touch the truth of who you are. You are higher than anything we’ve ever known to be facts here. You are greater. Bring us back to our humble state and let us realize that you are enough. Your truth outweighs anything this world has to offer. We only want you Lord, and we want to go anywhere with you. To the hidden places and to the grandest places—we want to be with you. Soften our hearts and grow our faith. Forgive us for limiting you, forgive us for personifying you. Forgive us for making you into us. Remind us that you have instead, made us into your son. You made us righteous. You give us the gift of comfort, peace, grace, love, truth, protection… God you don’t run out on us when we run out on you. I thank you for these truths, Lord! We love you and humbly praise you for who you are. In your Son’s name, Amen!*
