Nobody likes being asked to do something that they aren't comfortable with. It's called your comfort zone for a reason. When you get comfortable in life, you get complacent. Complacency can lead to just plain being stuck. But why settle for being complacent when you can be extraordinary?
Recently I made the huge leap of faith to transfer schools. I'm going from a huge public university where I don't know a third of the people on campus to a small Christian university where it is very likely that I will know a third of the people on campus by the time classes start. Originally, it was not my decision; it was that of my parents. I mean, who wants to leave their university the summer before their senior year? I had a little under 30 hours left to complete my major before walking across the stage, earning a diploma and getting my name forever imprinted in the sidewalk. Now I have two years and 60 hours left in order to be able to graduate.
As humans, we may think we know what's best for us, but the truth is, we don't. "The heart of the man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps" (Proverbs 16:9). We can plan out what we want to do with our life all we want, but only God can determine what really happens. Isn't it neat to think that God already knows what is going to happen in our lives? He's had it planned for us long before we were even born.
Truly following Christ requires us to step out of our comfort zone in many ways. Standing up for our beliefs can be difficult, especially in a setting where others do not share the same beliefs. Stepping out of the ordinary and becoming extraordinary requires boldness. In order for us to attain such bravery and boldness Christ must be within us. Matthew 19:26 says, "But Jesus looked at them and said, 'With man this is impossible, but with God, all things are possible.'"
When God calls us to do something out of our comfort zone, to not do it would be a sin. That's the harsh reality of being a Christian. But if we are all sinners, why does it matter if we do it or not? Sanctification, that's why. God cares more about our spirituality than we do. 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 says, "For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised."
So next time you hesitate before doing something that is out of your comfort zone, just remember to trust in God's plan for your life and live for Him and Him alone.
