Let’s talk for a minute about comfort zones. A comfort zone is where we go or where we stay so that we don’t have to feel unsafe, nervous, out of place, scared, fearful. Some of us build up those walls of comfort so high and thick so that no one dare knock them down and we don’t dare let anyone too close. Comfort zones keep us comfortable. They keep us where we know how to handle things, we are able to be in charge, and for most of us, we are happy and content in our comfort zone fort.
But think back with me…
Moses, poor Moses, was in his comfort zone when suddenly God made him a great leader of the Israelites and what do great leaders do? They speak. They speak to encourage their people, to ensure them. This would be no big thing if Moses could speak eloquently…he had a stutter. It tells us in Exodus 4:10 that Moses pleaded with God even. It’s put like this: And Moses said unto the Lord, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue (kjv). Here it is again in the NLT: But Moses pleaded with the Lord, “O Lord, I’m not very good with words. I never have been, and I’m not now, even though you have spoken to me. I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled.”
So you can see that Moses had a comfort zone and in that comfort zone, he didn’t have to speak to people publicly or in big groups. He was taken out of his comfort zone when God made him leader of the Israelites. We all have insecurities, things that make us nervous or self-conscious, that is why we stay inside the walls of our comfort zones, but as we see from Moses’ story God is not keen on keeping us inside those walls of comfort. If we are to do His work and fulfill our purpose, we will have to take our walls that we have so carefully built up and knock them down. Do not think that God is asking us to do this without thinking of us. He always has the best in mind when it comes to His children. He may ask us to step out in faith, to take a chance, to be bold like we never have before, but He will make sure that we are not alone. God will never leave us nor forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6).
The walls we have built up for ourselves are here for a reason, I get it. We have all been through things that have led us to placing those bricks for our walls of comfort into place and maybe the thought of knocking down all those bricks is terrifying to you. Trust me when I say, we all are terrified when it comes down to it. But taking them down and being freely and fully in the will of God, trusting that He will protect us, guide us, and love us, now that is a promise I will knock my walls down for. There is no greater or deeper love than that of God for his children. Think of what God can lead us to do if we trust in him and begin to take small, baby steps outside of our comfort zones. Imagine with me for a minute, think of a promise God has given to you, one that He has said you will do for His kingdom. Is it a dream that you never thought you would actually do? Or maybe you aren’t sure what you were created to do for God. Imagine where God could take you. He will do great things through each of us if we are but willing to take a chance with Him and get outside our walls. Inside our walls, we are limiting not only ourselves but God as well because we are saying “no, I don’t want to go that far God, I will stay here, behind this line”. Or “Don’t take me there God, I’m not comfortable there.” Limitations we set for ourselves and God will only keep us where we currently are. Do we know how far we can go? Do we know what our greatest strengths or our wildest dreams are if we refuse to grow, reuse to go farther than our comfort level? I ask you today, as I have asked you in the past, will you say “Yes” to God today? Will you step outside your walls, tear them down, and refuse to turn back? Take a chance with God today and refuse to be comfortable. If you are comfortable, you aren’t growing. God will do great things, just remember Moses.
He gives us roots so we can fly. Roots and Wings.
