EMBRACE DISCOMFORT

n Acts chapter 16 we see Paul concluding that God had called him, along with Silas, to preach to the Macedonians.  There was a slave girl with a spirit of divination, whom her masters were utilizing to increase their wealth.  Paul called out the spirit within the girl, commanding in the name of Jesus Christ that it depart from her, which it did almost immediately.  For his efforts, Paul and Silas were beaten with rods and thrown into prison.  While doing the work of the Lord, Paul and Silas were operating outside their comfort zone. 

As Christ-followers, we know that working outside of our comfort zone is not a one-time event.  It’s not easy but we grow most when we are challenged with risk, are most effective when we are on the edge, more focused on the task at hand at that point.  We hold beliefs more dearly and pursue goals more passionately when they are accompanied by a cost.  As Mosaics, we must be embracing, rather than avoiding, the uncomfortable aspects of being Christ-followers if we are to thrive in our community.  There is a reverse correlation between Christ-following comfort and its vibrancy.  When a body of believers is comfortable and cultural, it tends to be weak in faith.  When a body of believers is uncomfortable and countercultural, it tends to be strong in faith.  Our prime example is Jesus Christ walking the earth, not fitting in with the culture of the time, with a message that was countercultural.  

The Book of Acts shows us that Christianity thrives when it is a contradiction to the world beliefs around it.  1 Corinthians 1:20 says, “Where is the one who is wise?  Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age?  Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?  

Our Spiritual growth happens when we push ourselves outside of our comfort zone.  Those that are unwilling to enter that area will simply quit and they are not the ones who will build the church.  The ones who do enter are the ones who put aside their comfort for the sake of Christ.