There is the most wonderful camel-haired blazer at my department store. It is super soft and has a nice silk lining to protect you from even the slightest roughness of the material. It really is TOP NOTCH in the camel-haired arena! (You may be wondering why I'm plugging this blazer…bear with me.)
Last Wednesday, my pastor began a series on the Gospel of Mark. (Check it out – www.gileadtaylor.com) Mark begins by highlighting John the Baptist, the "messenger" who came ahead of Jesus to tell the Jews their Messiah was coming. Although I could probably write a blog SERIES on this man, there was one thing that stuck out to me the most.
"John wore clothing made of camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey." Mark 1:6
Ahhh yes…CAMEL HAIR! My pastor explained that his camel-haired garment was NOTHING like the ones we find in department stores today. In fact, camel hair in its purest form is very rough and itchy. It would irritate your skin. Why would anyone CHOOSE to wear this?
You see…John was longing for another world. He wore the garment to IRRITATE himself with this life.
WHAT AN AMAZING CONCEPT!
If there is one thing I honestly desire in life, it is to be COMFORTABLE. I do not need to be super wealthy or successful, but I always imagine myself being COM-FORT-ABLE! And the idea of purposefully IRRITATING myself in order to long for something bigger…well..I just don't have the self-discipline at this point.
However, I have experienced (very recently) that God is able to grow me the most when I'm completely uncomfortable. When I find this life IRRITATING!
With that said, I don't plan on traipsing around the world wearing pure camel hair anytime soon. BUT I am asking God to make me uncomfortable. I understand that in a few months I may be kicking myself for saying this prayer, but ultimately it will be the best thing for me.
"Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world – the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life- comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever." 1 John 2:15-17
