“And a sword will pierce your very soul.” Luke 2:35
Well, that doesn’t sound comfortable, does it? Those eight words are part of the prophecy Simeon spoke to Mary and Joseph at Jesus’ baby dedication.
I don’t know about you, but these are not the words I’d want to hear about my future. I want to hear about the good plans and hope God has for me. About healing. Long life. Happiness. Blessings.
I read those words one day and asked myself, “Do I ever let a sword pierce my soul?”
My first and immediate reaction to a sword piercing any part of my body would be to back away. Quickly. Like run really fast in the opposite direction.
We like being comfortable, don’t we? We go to great lengths to protect our comfort.
We keep our thermostat in the sweet spot between too hot and too cold. It’s just right. And if it moves too far in either direction, we complain or adjust it.
“Ugh! I can’t stand this heat!” OR “This sanctuary feels like the middle of the arctic tundra today. I can’t even concentrate! Jesus make it warm!”
I actually turned my space heater on at work yesterday – IN AUGUST – because it was so cold in my office. But I digress.
We eat when we’re hungry and sleep when we’re tired and spend hours picking out that perfect, oversized chair. Why? To be comfortable. Cozy. Snug and safe in a pleasant environment.
And somehow this craving for comfort has seeped over into the church.
I can’t serve. I don’t want to miss service.
I can’t give. I might need that for something I want later.
Share a testimony? It makes me nervous to talk in front of people. I’m an introvert, after all.
We don’t even really pray about it because we know how much God loves us and He knows us and He would never ask us to do anything like that. Get thee behind me Satan. God wants us to be happy, right? And being uncomfortable doesn’t make us happy.
I’ve got a newsflash…something I’ve learned over these past 28 years of walking with God.
God’s not as concerned about our comfort as we are.
Ouch. That hurt. But it’s true.
God didn’t ask Joseph if slavery or prison would be comfortable enough for him. He was more concerned about positioning him to fulfill his destiny and rescue His covenant people from famine.
God didn’t check with Moses first about how comfortable with public speaking he was before calling him to be a prophet.
He didn’t consult Esther on how she would feel about being queen and then facing possible execution for going before the king to ask him to spare her people.
The cross wasn’t roses and sunshine for Jesus, but aren’t you glad He endured that discomfort in His flesh so ours could be saved and healed?
No. God isn’t as concerned about our comfort as we are.
Sometimes He will ask us to serve when we’re tired. To give when we’re broke. He’ll ask us to speak when we’re scared and pray for someone when we’re nervous.
Many people miss out on the fullness of what God has for them because they refuse to leave their comfort zone. And we refuse to leave because of insecurities. Because we see what we’re lacking.
Miracles don’t happen in the kingdom of comfort we’ve built for ourselves. Miracles don’t happen until we let a sword pierce our soul. Until we step out of the boat. Until we allow ourselves to be put into a position of discomfort for Him.
God doesn’t need our ability. He only needs our yes. He’ll make up the difference in our deficiency like He did with Joseph and Moses and Esther.
Let’s stop consulting our comfort level about what we’re supposed to do. Let’s get our direction from God, do it whether we’re comfortable or not, and see what miracles He will do through us when comfort isn’t king anymore.
Your destiny awaits on the other side of comfortable. What are you waiting for?
