Hello everyone!
Have you ever wondered why you can’t get things off of your heart or out of your mind? The year 2018 was that kind of year for me. The Lord put things and callings in my heart I had never had before and did not understand at first. This process had actually started in 2017. I was restless with life and I didn’t know why. I wanted more than church going and church activities. I wanted more than the American church and its four walls had to offer. I am not saying the church does not do good things or is not valuable. What I am saying is I needed some tangible ways to serve outside of my four church walls. I wanted to reach my city and my world.
Enter 2018. I began volunteering with a local group that ministers in some of the harshest place in my city. I was introduced to a church that meets under a bridge! I had never had a desire to go to these places or even meet the people that lived in these places in my city. God was up to something – something bigger than me, something bigger than Christian consumerism. Getting out of my comfort zone and learning to love people in hard places enlarged my heart! I learned from them too! I have met people in recovery and made some wonderful friends. I am so in awe of what God can do for people, regardless of their race, creed, color or sex! My heart for those who have been trafficked grew even more last year! I could not get working with trafficking survivors off of my mind. I have been to trainings, read books and listened in on talks and documentaries about human trafficking in order to prepare myself for the work God has for me. This preparation work is going to come to fruition in 2019! I can’t wait! I heard God’s heart for me! I can’t turn back now! I am not interested in playing “church.” He is moving and shaking in this city, this nation and on this planet!
I have to ask myself, what if I had been unwilling to get out of my comfort zone? What if I had been unwilling to let some comfort go and some friends go? Yes, friends can keep us too comfortable as well. Would I have come to know God in a greater way and know his heart in greater way? The answer is no. I would have never known what it was like to love people that others have not wanted to love. I would have never known some of the kindest people I have ever met! I can honestly say in 2018 and now into 2019 I have seen and heard the heart of God more clearly than I could have ever imagined! Will there still need to be weeding and pruning at times? Yes! Will I have to say no to certain things to say yes to others? Yes! Will I have to say no to certain people to say yes to others? Yes! Is God going to guide me every step of the way? Absolutely yes!
Now for my blog readers and book readers, I am not giving up writing. In fact, I can say in all honestly, my comfort zone began to be unraveled with the writing of my first book in 2016. I’m not sure I was aware of the fact that God started with writing but I am now! God has a funny way of bringing us back to things that made us nervous in the first place, back to things we perhaps did not value before. I did not value writing before. Sadly for many years, I did not value the people he valued either – the marginalized, the oppressed and the hurting. Mind you I did not hate them, but they made me “uncomfortable.” What silliness that was! God does mighty things with the situations, people and things that make us uncomfortable! I am so glad I did not just step in or wade in, I jumped in!
What are you comfortable with in this life? Where are you comfortable? Do you want more? I can promise you if you will get out of your comfort zone your life and your heart will expand in ways you never thought possible! God is so much bigger than what we think we want! He is so much bigger than what we thing we can do! Step out of your comfort zone and soar!! Isaiah 41:10; So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 40:31; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Not settling for comfortable, Elizabeth