Comfortable

I LOVE being comfortable!  I know this is not unique to me alone, so let's indulge for a moment....Nothing is better than that feeling when you've just gotten out of the shower or when you crawl into clean sheets in a nice fluffy bed or when you plop down on the sofa after a long day, tv remote in hand and your mind feels free of the "stuff" that makes you uncomfortable.  You know the "stuff" I'm talking about.  That stuff you HAVE to do instead of WANT to do, like paying bills and sitting in traffic and doing laundry and going to the grocery store and the gym and the post office and wearing a mask.... pretty much anywhere or anything you think of as your own private hell on earth.  I know, that may be pushing the analogy a little too far, but, you get the idea.  
So this idea of comfortable is something we all want and something we all love, but if you will allow me to step on the toes (mine included)...not something that encourages and nourishes growth.  It's also, relatively speaking, a fairly new concept in the span of the ages and was not really much of a concept for the common man until the beginning of modern conveniences.  I am not a professional historian, but I remember the stories my grandpa told me about growing up miles outside of town with no electricity or indoor plumbing.  It was too expensive to incorporate those things when survival was your goal.  But in our modern, developed countries, we don't have to worry about just surviving, we now have time to focus on our health, entertainment and comfort.  
I know that as a believer who lives in a modern, comfortable, convenient place where I can have anything I want in 1 to 5 days, I take much for granted and often forget that the very  things that make me the most Uncomfortable are the same things I need to grow things like patience and strength, appreciation, authenticity, courage, understanding, learning to give and receive love, God's will manifested in my life and actions.  These things can't happen when we're sitting on the couch, watching TV and ordering items online (yes, I just placed another order this morning). And guess what? God is not concerned if we are comfortable.  I know, you’re cringing right now and I get it.  You may be thinking, “How can someone say that, God loves me.”  And you're right, He does love us more than we can imagine, but let’s talk about perspective.  God sees and knows everything that has ever happened or will ever happen.  He was there at the beginning of all things and is already present at the end of all things, so let that sink in for just a moment. I have to remember, like we all do, that although God cares for everyone throughout all of time, our comfort may not produce His will for our lives and those around us (that's right, I said it....our lives aren't just for us). If God is pushing you out of your comfort zone, try to embrace it and seek what is to be learned from it.  Your comfort may be keeping you from blessing someone else, growing your soul or God's Kingdom.  I am speaking from a place of experience.....I started talking about this blog about 5 years before I finally said "yes" to God.  Please don't wait like I did.  Try to remember that a little discomfort now will result in eternal comfort with Christ, not only for you, but maybe for untold numbers of others who need to hear your story, know your struggles, share in your joy and experience salvation.
The pleasure and comfort we seek never lasts.  It’s all temporary and we always need more and more and more to keep us satisfied….. We seek ways to forget, ways to comfort ourselves, ways to numb the pain, prevent the aging process, slow time, speed up time, stop the grief, the pain, the shortcomings, the faults and failures, but we just can’t.   I don’t say this in defeat but in relief.  I am glad I don’t have this kind of power on my own because it would negate my need for my savior and His love.  He knows how long forever is and He designed our souls to be eternal beings.  This flesh and bone that houses our souls and who we are, is decaying, but our souls will just change location when it finally meets its end. We are given only a little time to make our eternity count for something. I am often uncomfortable with life on this earth, but what joy fills my heart at the thought of eternal comfort with the one who loves me beyond reason and understanding!