Step Outside of Your Comfort Zone

I have a secret. I HATE being outside my comfort zone. I am very comfortable in here. It's warm, I know what to expect, who is going to be there, etc. However, being comfortable isn't what life is all about. In the last few months, especially, God has REALLY pushed me far outside my comfort zone. We moved to Iowa City, are attending a new church, a new small group (I've really never been in one before!), and has pushed me to do crazy outgoing things that I would NEVER have dreamed of doing before.

As I was standing in the shower today, thinking about all of this, I realized it is when we are outside of our comfort zones that God does the greatest things in our lives. Do you think Matthew, the despised tax collector was in his comfort zone when he began following Christ? Jesus didn't say "Hey, come follow me, it will be a blast!" He said "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it." (Mark 8:34-35)

Well. That doesn't sound too pleasant, but how much more pleasant would it be to be bathed in the love of Christ, and know that you are doing His will? The greatest thing there is on earth! I challenge you today, step outside of your comfort zone and see what God has in store for you!

Be Still

Psalm 46:10

This passage has been repeating itself in my head for months now. I know it is something that God really wants me to pursue, but I have been struggling with it. The problem is that I have been so "busy". I put the word in quotes because while there are always many things going on in my life, I make myself too "busy". I give myself too much to do, therefore I don't leave time for the things that truly matter; time in the bible, worship, and quality time with my family. I spend time with the boys, of course, because they are home with me all day every day. However, I don't spend "quality" time with them very often. I get itchy when I am sitting on the floor with them because I think of all the things I could be doing.
I have really been thinking about this verse in depth for the past few days, and realized how little time I actually spend being still. The answer is... none. Yesterday Nate's sisters came into town. His younger sister, Nadine, cooked us a fantastic Authentic Chinese Feast. It was delicious, but after I rushed through eating (I blame it on eating with children, even though they were asleep when we finally ate) I started immediately picking up. Everyone else was sitting contentedly at the table talking, but I was so.. itchy, for lack of a better word, that I couldn't just sit and enjoy their company.
I noticed the same problem this morning at breakfast, however I forced myself to sit still and try to enjoy the calm. I make it sound like I don't enjoy my company, but I REALLY do! I love having my pseudo-sisters in town.. It's the stillness that's the problem. I always have to have something to do.
So.. the solution. Today in the shower I ruminated on the problem. The Holy Spirit kept repeating to me that I need to be STILL. I kept hearing "Be Still, Be Still", like a record on repeat. So.. I decided that I am going to begin to force myself to spend time Being Still. I think I will start with 5-10 minutes, because that will be very difficult for me at first. My goal is to make it to 30 minutes, maybe ending with a reflection time. I plan on beginning this stillness before bed tonight. I have resolved to not have any distractions, only myself and stillness. Wish me luck... I will keep you posted. In the meantime.. I challenge you to also contemplating the meaning of "stillness" in your life.