Out of My Comfort Zone
My husband and I have a memory foam mattress and we love it! We chose it because it is so comfortable to both of us. One of its benefits is I can get in and out of bed as many times as I want (such as now when I've jumped out of bed to scribble down ideas for this blog!) You've seen the bounce-on-the-bed commercials where the drink doesn't spill - you really can toss and turn as much as you like and you don't disturb each other. The bad thing is I can no longer jiggle the bed to get him to quit snoring! There's a rumor in our family that I snore as well - and maybe as loud - as he does, but I don't believe it.
We chose this one when we finally decided we couldn't handle sleeping on our old, wornout, spring-busted mattress. The contrast between the two was so significant that for over a week at work I kept saying, 'I love my bed. I looove my bed.' Literally all I wanted to do was to go home and lay on my new mattress.
I'm all about comfort. But 2 Tim 2:3 tells us that we must endure hardship "as a good soldier of Jesus Christ." I wonder sometimes if I know what that really is. 'Hardship'- it means enduring suffering, affliction, evil, troubles. As a North American Christian - I have no idea. I live in freedom to worship, to share Christ without fear of imprisonment. I've never been persecuted for my faith, and while that day may be coming I hope and pray that I am prepared for it, that my children are prepared for it, that my brothers and sisters in Christ (the church) in America are prepared for it.
Romans 5:3 and 1 Peter 4:13 tell us to 'rejoice' in suffering. In my luxury-filled life I have rarely felt any sting of agony associated with my faith. Troubles have come, but it has been the rain that falls on the just and the unjust (Mt 5:45). But we have brothers and sisters all over the world who know the anguish of pain, imprisonment, even death just for loving their Savior! I stand in awe of their faith and their faithfulness, of their depth of devotion to Christ and I wonder - would I withstand the test? Me, who whines and complains if the house is too hot, or too cold, or the electricity is off for a couple of hours...
My husband and son sat in the home of a pastor in Nepal who told of being imprisoned with a number of other believers in a cell so small they had to take turns standing on one another's feet. It was not his first imprisonment, nor his last. I met a precious young Nepali woman whose husband kicked her out onto the street for accepting Christ. We also talked to a courageous young man whose uncle threw a ghurka knife (a long curved blade named for the soldiers who carried it) at his head, missing him by the merest breadth. He had to run for his life.
No, I can't possibly comprehend the 'hardships' my brothers and sisters suffer, but I can pray for them. That their faith will not waiver, that they would be strong in the Lord, that God would grant His mercy and peace, relief from man and love for their enemies. And I can follow their example and pray for myself. That I would begin to grow up, and mature in my own faith, to not take for granted the liberties and freedom that Christ has paid for, suffered for, died for, to share the blessings of wealth He has bestowed upon me - both physical and spiritual. To 'redeem the time because the days are evil' (Eph 3:16).
Oh, I'll still enjoy my bed, but I will remember to pray more often for those who don't have one. I'll be grateful for the cool air on a hot summer's day, and the warmth of heat in winter, but I'll be ready to go without - without complaining! I will grow in gratitude for all that God has given me, and I will let go of things I hold dear to share them with others who have less. My focus will be less earth-centered and more heaven-minded. I will be less self-concerned and do more intercessory prayer for others. I'll take every opportunity to share Christ's love with others and to help meet needs in the lives of others.
What about you? Are you willing to move out of your comfort zone? To appreciate the blessings God has bestowed and to extend that gratitude in a way that reaches out to others? 1 Pet 4:13 tells us that when we partake (share) in Christ's sufferings (and in His body, the church's, sufferings - 1 Cor 1:24) His glory is revealed - and we are filled with 'exceeding joy'!
All for Him,
Missy
We chose this one when we finally decided we couldn't handle sleeping on our old, wornout, spring-busted mattress. The contrast between the two was so significant that for over a week at work I kept saying, 'I love my bed. I looove my bed.' Literally all I wanted to do was to go home and lay on my new mattress.
I'm all about comfort. But 2 Tim 2:3 tells us that we must endure hardship "as a good soldier of Jesus Christ." I wonder sometimes if I know what that really is. 'Hardship'- it means enduring suffering, affliction, evil, troubles. As a North American Christian - I have no idea. I live in freedom to worship, to share Christ without fear of imprisonment. I've never been persecuted for my faith, and while that day may be coming I hope and pray that I am prepared for it, that my children are prepared for it, that my brothers and sisters in Christ (the church) in America are prepared for it.
Romans 5:3 and 1 Peter 4:13 tell us to 'rejoice' in suffering. In my luxury-filled life I have rarely felt any sting of agony associated with my faith. Troubles have come, but it has been the rain that falls on the just and the unjust (Mt 5:45). But we have brothers and sisters all over the world who know the anguish of pain, imprisonment, even death just for loving their Savior! I stand in awe of their faith and their faithfulness, of their depth of devotion to Christ and I wonder - would I withstand the test? Me, who whines and complains if the house is too hot, or too cold, or the electricity is off for a couple of hours...
My husband and son sat in the home of a pastor in Nepal who told of being imprisoned with a number of other believers in a cell so small they had to take turns standing on one another's feet. It was not his first imprisonment, nor his last. I met a precious young Nepali woman whose husband kicked her out onto the street for accepting Christ. We also talked to a courageous young man whose uncle threw a ghurka knife (a long curved blade named for the soldiers who carried it) at his head, missing him by the merest breadth. He had to run for his life.
No, I can't possibly comprehend the 'hardships' my brothers and sisters suffer, but I can pray for them. That their faith will not waiver, that they would be strong in the Lord, that God would grant His mercy and peace, relief from man and love for their enemies. And I can follow their example and pray for myself. That I would begin to grow up, and mature in my own faith, to not take for granted the liberties and freedom that Christ has paid for, suffered for, died for, to share the blessings of wealth He has bestowed upon me - both physical and spiritual. To 'redeem the time because the days are evil' (Eph 3:16).
Oh, I'll still enjoy my bed, but I will remember to pray more often for those who don't have one. I'll be grateful for the cool air on a hot summer's day, and the warmth of heat in winter, but I'll be ready to go without - without complaining! I will grow in gratitude for all that God has given me, and I will let go of things I hold dear to share them with others who have less. My focus will be less earth-centered and more heaven-minded. I will be less self-concerned and do more intercessory prayer for others. I'll take every opportunity to share Christ's love with others and to help meet needs in the lives of others.
What about you? Are you willing to move out of your comfort zone? To appreciate the blessings God has bestowed and to extend that gratitude in a way that reaches out to others? 1 Pet 4:13 tells us that when we partake (share) in Christ's sufferings (and in His body, the church's, sufferings - 1 Cor 1:24) His glory is revealed - and we are filled with 'exceeding joy'!
All for Him,
Missy
Labels: Missy
posted by Missy at
12:01 AM
1 Comments:
I completely understand the comfort thing. I have the same mattress! I still suffer with the complaining thing (oh too much so). Thanks for the reminder!
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