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When you think on what makes you comfortable, what comes to mind?
Appearance, relationships, work, finances, church?
One of my biggest concerns is desiring to grow more in comfort than in Christ. I remember when Chris and I were first married and so much life happened all at once. We moved halfway across the country, started news jobs, pregnant three months later, and then I was in a car accident. And those were just the first four months.
I remember crying over our dwindling savings account, wondering if we would ever be comfortable again. I remember bartering with God, telling him if I just had a certain amount, I would be content. Years go by and we are finally in this financial place I longed for that day, and you know what? It wasn’t enough.
It wasn’t enough because I had decided that being financially comfortable was more important than anything else God had to offer me, even Himself. And God, being rich in grace, mercy, and blessings, gave me this financial contentment I was after, knowing it wouldn’t suffice. God used this opportunity to teach me that He isn’t after our comfort; He’s after our hearts. And He is willing to make us and keep us uncomfortable for His sake, and our own.
He isn’t after our comfort; He’s after our hearts. And He is willing to make us and keep us uncomfortable for His sake, and our own.
Jesus said, “those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples.” (Luke 14:33). Now when He says everything, it’s quite literally what He means. While talking to a crowd in the book of Luke, Jesus goes on about how the comfort of family, friends, wealth, one’s self, are all things you must be willing to part with for the sake of God’s Kingdom. “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?” (Mark 8:34-36).
So, just exactly how comfortable have we become? Is your comfort ever challenged? Does the scripture ever boggle your mind to the point of keeping you up at night? Does your Christian life look different than the non-believers around you? Does your Christian faith confront your idols and challenge your sin? Are you willing and able to have hard conversations with other believers? Is your faith in the same place today as it was yesterday?
If all you feel is affirmed in all areas of your life, you are walking in a faith that is far too comfortable and complacent.
I recall fervently praying for things ten years ago that I now have; And, because God is good and desires good for me, He has blessed me with far more and far better than I deserve. But the comforts of my family, friends, finances, church, and whatever else do not compare to the glory of God at work in my faith.
So,I pray that you and I would be a people marked by a pursuit of Christ over a pursuit of comfort. I pray that you and I can come face to face with our Savior and say as Peter said to him, “We have left all we had to follow you!” (Luke 18:28).
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