By Living in a box, while some might consider it boring, some may consider it safe. In theory we all live in a box of some sort. We have our comfort zones that box us in to what we will do and will not do. For some of us, this can be a bit unnerving when we are asked to step out of our comfort zone. However how often does God call us to do things inside our comfort zone? Oh yeah right, like never! Well at least that has been my experience anyways.
Over the years I have learned that God calls us to be better and more than we can even imagine. God calls us to trust Him and follow His footsteps. He chooses to use us because of our faults and fears because it is where He can get the most glory. I think about the various heroes in the Bible and how they questioned doing God’s will because they were afraid or felt unworthy or not good enough to do what God had called them to do. I think about Peter who God called to preach to the first gentile population.
9 About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds. Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.” “Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.” The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.” This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven.
While Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision, the men sent by Cornelius found out where Simon’s house was and stopped at the gate. They called out, asking if Simon who was known as Peter was staying there.
While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Simon, three men are looking for you. So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.”
Peter went down and said to the men, “I’m the one you’re looking for. Why have you come?” The men replied, “We have come from Cornelius the centurion. He is a righteous and God-fearing man, who is respected by all the Jewish people. A holy angel told him to ask you to come to his house so that he could hear what you have to say.” Then Peter invited the men into the house to be his guests.The next day Peter started out with them, and some of the believers from Joppa went along Acts 10:9-23
I know seems pretty crazy but had Peter stayed where he was comfortable and in the culture he knew what would have happened? We find out later that Cornelius and his entire household believed that day and got baptized. This opened up for all of us that are not Jewish in nature. This makes me think how does my staying in my comfort zone impact others? Why do I stay in my comfort zone? Maybe I need to be more aware and intentional about stepping out of my comfort zone… What about you? Do you have areas that God is speaking to you about stepping out of the comfort zone.
