“Character building is a slow process. Whenever we try to avoid or escape the difficulties in life. We short-circuit the process, delay our growth, and actually end up with a worse kind of path – the worthless type that accompanies denial and avoidance. When you grasp the eternal consequences of your character development, you will pray fewer “comfort me” prayers (“help me feel good”) and more “conform me” prayers (“use this to make me more like you”) -The Purpose Driven Life
I absolutely love this quote and the first time I read it, it kind of smacked me in the face. Looking back I realize that I had (and still do!) try and go around, take an easier road or the less difficult path, and after reading this quote I’m desperately going to try and work on praying more “conform me” prayers rather than “comfort me” prayers.
Occasionally when I start thinking about what my life is going to be like starting in September, fear will grip me and I think “am I CRAZY?! I am going to foreign lands with people I dont even know, Im only 18, I’m leaving my family for 9 months”and the list goes on and on. Then God goes “ummm Kylie, for I did not give you a spirit of fear(2 Timothy 1:7)…” Then I feel peace again and remember the lives that will be changed (including mine), and I also remember the two simple words “conform me” and this coming year I will be praying those constantly which brings me to comfort zones and expectations.
I know that this year will:
Be about saying “bye bye, comfort zone.” No change, faithfulness, boldness, adventure, etc. will happen without saying goodbye to comfort zones. No it isnt easy but with God I can do it!
Stretch and grow me
Change lives
Be an adventure
Bring me closer to God
Give me forever friendships
Transform me
And be so so so much more than I can even think or imagine!!
