We all have comfort zones. They are familiar surroundings in which we experience feelings of security and contentment. One example might be our home – a place where we can relax after a stressful day at work. Other examples might be on the golf course or in the company of our friends.
Before God spoke to Abram (later renamed Abraham) as recorded in Genesis 12:1, he was in a very comfortable position. His father had relocated Abram and his relatives to the city of Harran many years earlier. There his family became prosperous and well respected within the community. Abram could look forward to spending the rest of his life in relative ease.
Then God called Abram out of his comfort zone. Obeying God’s command and relying on His promises, Abram packed up his earthly belongings and moved his family to Canaan. There, Abram became involved in many difficult situations that must have made him question the decision to leave his previous home. In retrospect, however, leaving his comfort zone led to immeasurable blessings in Abram’s life.
What can we learn from Abram’s experience? First, we need to get comfortable in our relationship with God. That involves ongoing talks to Him in prayer, regular visits to God’s house for worship, and daily reading of His Word. As our relationship with God strengthens, we can feel secure no matter what happens in our lives. Whether we are impacted by loss of a job, death of a loved one, breakup of a close relationship, or a debilitating illness, we can still find comfort and peace trusting that God’s will is being done in our lives.
Second, we often need to step out of our comfort zone to reach our full potential as children of God. One of the most uncomfortable things to do is witness to others. We find it difficult to come up with the right words to say and worry what people might think about us. Another challenge involves returning to God a portion of what He has given us. We spend freely on ourselves and reluctantly give some of what is left, if anything, to God rather than giving Him the first fruits of our harvest. In the same way, we find it hard to sacrifice our time to serve Him in our local congregation.
Why would anyone want to willingly leave their comfort zone? I suggest that Christians do so because their Savior did the same for them, but in much larger measure. Jesus willingly left the comfort of heaven in order to become a man so that He could suffer and die. Because of the forgiveness He won for us, we can look forward to an eternity of heavenly bliss. Shouldn’t we be willing to become a little uncomfortable for Him?