Remember that traditional children's song, Where is thumbkin? As kids we sang, “How are you today sir? Very well I thank you!” We learned from an early age that it’s highly desirable to do very well– and as we got older, the answer to “How are you” became really important – especially to us. If you’ve ever asked someone, “How are you”, you’ve likely heard a few of them respond with, “I’m blessed”. For some of them that’s their routine, go-to, cliché response and it may leave you wondering if they really fully comprehend what their even saying. Other times you may have, while being in a bit too critical of a mood, encountered someone, and said, “their privileged”. When we do that I’d say in most instance we’re often way to quick and judgmental and don’t know their full story. We don’t want to bother to take the time and effort to be like Christ, extend some grace and gain understanding. But beyond blessed and privileged, we all frequently do whatever it takes to be (and stay) COMFORTABLE. The Christian Kool-aid is exactly that: God wants ME to be comfortable.
Unfortunately many in the faith and fitness culture suffer from this delusion as well. It gives us permission to spend way to much time and effort being self-absorbed and sexy and buff (for Christ’s sake). We're blessed and privileged in all the wrong ways. Please – quit wearing your formfitting Christian fitness T, taking your Christian supplements and yeah going to your Church fitness program to hang with your sisters or bros if you ain’t gonna do anything more than be satisfied that the money you’re spending on YOU, (your told) is somehow benefiting others. That’s not fitness – it’s weakness!
ENOUGH OF THE OUCHIES – HERE’S HOW TO REALLY BE COMFORTABLE
Similar to getting in a good workout (a good workout defined as one that truly produces some greater strength and health) where you push harder, go further, feel some discomfort and you aren’t satisfied with ‘easy’ or routine, a faith journey with Christ will be UNcomfortable:
- You often don’t get what you want, when you want it and how you want it – and you’re very ok with that.
- You are tempted big time and yet with God’s strength you resist the temptation.
- You are given opportunities to BE THE ONE to serve and you do it eagerly and thoroughly.
- You truly suffer, become stronger, forgive and humbly accomplish what God intends for you.
This is definitely not glamorous stuff. It’s costly, rich in challenges, often time-intensive, and even more often it’ll seem like the most non-productive/biggest distraction/not-benefiting-you thing you’ve ever done – you’ll probably lack no shortage of people who’ll tell you that.
And yeah, while you'll want to go easier or totally shift directions, instead you’ll take a good look and see that the momentum of God’s Spirit moving in the world right now is unprecedented. People are beyond thirsty, hungry and longing. They are desperate for hope, something more and real … They are in urgent need of God and thus they’re in urgent need for you to go for it.
This is where you get really comfortable in being uncomfortable. With confidence you can boldly and with eagerness be the life of Christ not only among others but also directly to others, right now – where you are – each day.
Let’s commit to do it well and do it for the long haul, like for the rest of our lives because this isn’t meant to be an ‘experience’ or a test of your will and it’s certainly not a heroic and noble, “’I’ can do this”. God wants this deeper way of living for you to be the new comfortable.
Train strong in Christ,
-Brad Bloom, Publisher, Lifestyle Media Group
ARE YOU READY TO GO THERE AND DO THIS?
Take a listen to this song. As you do pray and seek God on what God wants your new COMFORTABLE to be. But, don't just say, "I'll pray about it". Go there and do it!
