Our comfort zone is a frequently-used phrase. Occasionally, it is used to describe something physical, such as mountain climbing or jumping out of a plane. Those are probably out of most people's comfort zones. But usually, when we speak about a 'comfort zone' we are talking about something which makes us extremely uncomfortable, but probably is not going to endanger our lives.
Most polls, if you believe their findings, list public speaking as the number 1, numero uno, fear of most people and definitely not in their comfort zone. That is not true of me; I may have a butterfly or two right before I begin speaking, but it disappears immediately as I warm to my audience. I sincerely like to talk to people and engage them, but I've been told I could talk to a doorpost. I don't know if that is a compliment, but it is true, nonetheless. However, I do have other areas that make me uncomfortable.
I would guess our ability to overcome our fears and venture outside our comfort is based directly on our 'want' of something. If we were told we would have the ultimate dream job...great pay, great working environment, good people to work with; all the perks we ever wanted, if we could do something that made us uncomfortable (not talking about illegal or immoral), we would probably do it or at least try. The rewards are definitely the motivator.
I don't usually write about my daughter, Kalisha, on this blog because I write about her on 2 other ones, but today I am going to break that rule. Kalisha has several things she feels she just can't do. Due to her autism, sensory issues are always a problem, especially with clothing. She has never worn slacks with a zippered closure or belt loops; never worn a belt and does not wear clothing with buttons.
She recently was hired for 2 different jobs. Hallelujah! One is only for 4 days, but she has to wear khaki slacks and a white button-up-the-front dress blouse. The other job is at our local minor league baseball stadium and she is so excited, she can't stand it. But...she has to wear khaki slacks with a zippered waist and belt loops and wear a belt. And the shirt must be tucked in at the waist. ALL of these things are w-a-a-a-y out of her comfort zone.
Most polls, if you believe their findings, list public speaking as the number 1, numero uno, fear of most people and definitely not in their comfort zone. That is not true of me; I may have a butterfly or two right before I begin speaking, but it disappears immediately as I warm to my audience. I sincerely like to talk to people and engage them, but I've been told I could talk to a doorpost. I don't know if that is a compliment, but it is true, nonetheless. However, I do have other areas that make me uncomfortable.
I would guess our ability to overcome our fears and venture outside our comfort is based directly on our 'want' of something. If we were told we would have the ultimate dream job...great pay, great working environment, good people to work with; all the perks we ever wanted, if we could do something that made us uncomfortable (not talking about illegal or immoral), we would probably do it or at least try. The rewards are definitely the motivator.
I don't usually write about my daughter, Kalisha, on this blog because I write about her on 2 other ones, but today I am going to break that rule. Kalisha has several things she feels she just can't do. Due to her autism, sensory issues are always a problem, especially with clothing. She has never worn slacks with a zippered closure or belt loops; never worn a belt and does not wear clothing with buttons.
She recently was hired for 2 different jobs. Hallelujah! One is only for 4 days, but she has to wear khaki slacks and a white button-up-the-front dress blouse. The other job is at our local minor league baseball stadium and she is so excited, she can't stand it. But...she has to wear khaki slacks with a zippered waist and belt loops and wear a belt. And the shirt must be tucked in at the waist. ALL of these things are w-a-a-a-y out of her comfort zone.
As you can see, she did purchase all the required items. Today, she wore the slacks and belt for the first time. She overcame her fear because the motivation was stronger than the fear. She really wanted to have this job.
So what does this have to do with us as Christians? In my experience, we (most of us) are very uncomfortable about witnessing unless it is from the safety of our computer or other device. It is definitely out of our comfort zone. I remember one evangelistic effort by a church where I was a member, many, many years ago. We were sent out by twos (biblical, yes?) to give a new testament to people. Not selling anything, just knocking on doors and handing them a small copy of the new testament with a smile. My friend and I knocked on doors all afternoon, praying as we approached each home. Now before you think how pious we were, let me tell you what our prayer was: "Please, Lord, don't let anyone answer the door."
Oh, yeah, our motivation definitely was not to spread the good news of Jesus Christ. It was to get done with our job and go home. What should our motivation be? Do we want people to know about the free salvation and hope of eternal life as much as Kalisha wants her job?
I don't know about you, but I have to pray about this and hopefully, with God's help, I can step out of my comfort zone a little more often....with the right motivation.
So what does this have to do with us as Christians? In my experience, we (most of us) are very uncomfortable about witnessing unless it is from the safety of our computer or other device. It is definitely out of our comfort zone. I remember one evangelistic effort by a church where I was a member, many, many years ago. We were sent out by twos (biblical, yes?) to give a new testament to people. Not selling anything, just knocking on doors and handing them a small copy of the new testament with a smile. My friend and I knocked on doors all afternoon, praying as we approached each home. Now before you think how pious we were, let me tell you what our prayer was: "Please, Lord, don't let anyone answer the door."
Oh, yeah, our motivation definitely was not to spread the good news of Jesus Christ. It was to get done with our job and go home. What should our motivation be? Do we want people to know about the free salvation and hope of eternal life as much as Kalisha wants her job?
I don't know about you, but I have to pray about this and hopefully, with God's help, I can step out of my comfort zone a little more often....with the right motivation.
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