When is the last time that your comfort zone was stretched? Do you believe that if we step outside of that zone often enough that, eventually, our comfort zone will be permanently stretched? I sure hope so!
Since moving to Illinois, I have accepted position in a full-time ministry role, traveling through the states of Wisconsin and Illinois. I actually get paid for talking to women about Jesus! It is the most amazing thing to me, that God would allow me to leave the corporate world of employment after 30 years, and put me in the field doing His work, and getting a paycheck! In my new position, I meet new people every day – which stretches my comfort zone. Only ten years ago, I struggled with feelings of unworthiness in having more than one friend at a time. Now God is stretching me to meet and work with many more women than I could have ever imagined.
When God leads us outside our comfort zone, it is always for His glory and for our growth. Sometimes I want to say, “Lord, perhaps I have grown enough”, but rather, I take a deep breath and push forward in obedience, knowing that God will lead and I simply must follow.
Allowing God to lead our lives may sound like a mystery to some – How do you do that? The first step is to draw near to God through ongoing conversations with Him – talk to Him! Share your hurts, disappointments, goals, dreams, and fears with Him – just as you would talk to your closest friend – pour it all out to Him. Take a step further and open your heart to hear from Him. Ask Him questions, such as, “Lord, have I let you down in any way?” “Can you give me wisdom to fix this mess I’m in?” “Will you show me how to remake my life and start over?” You might pray, “Lord, forgive me for my wrong actions and thoughts.” “Lord, forgive me for wanting to control my life when I should trust you to lead me.” Open your Bible to Psalm 139 and read how much God loves you. Read 1 John and learn how to walk in the light of Jesus. Make yourself available to God so He can teach you.
When you begin to trust God with your feelings, failures and emotions, you will begin to understand how trustworthy He is, because He doesn’t share with anyone the things you tell Him – He is the best secret keeper in all the universe. He alone can lead you in the way to make good from all your mistakes (Romans 8:28). He alone can show you how to receive forgiveness (John 3:16).
He alone can lead your life so that you will achieve all that you were created to achieve. God created you with skills, gifts, talents and desires – for a specific purpose. He alone knows what that purpose is. He alone is the one you need to call on to complete you – so that you will live the abundant life on earth that you were created for.
Begin today – step outside your comfort zone and the boundaries you have placed around your heart. Call out to Him to come and make you whole. Romans 10:9, “If you confess with your mouth ‘Jesus is Lord’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” It’s never too late to call on the name of the Lord. He promises in Romans 10:13, “All who call on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
