Getting out of the Comfort Zone
When we socialise with our peers, we often feel comfortable and glad when we are able to find topics in common to talk about. You feel a sense of connection with the person. Not much needs to be explained, a short few words and they understand and appreciate what you are saying. It is a natural reaction to stay in this comfort zone because life has always been promoted to be all about enjoying ourselves. Why go a painful way when there is an easier route to enjoy ourselves?
I am certain that I am not alone on this, and when it comes to sharing your spiritual faith, we would often prefer sharing their faith and experiences amongst our fellow brothers and sisters, because it is much easier for them to comprehend the Love, Joy, Peace or Hardships that you may be spiritually experiencing. We are comfortable sharing it, and most of all, we are comforted in that you will know your fellow brothers and sisters will be praying for you.
I'm not saying this is a bad thing. We should all grow spiritually through fellowship/discipleship by sharing our spiritual experiences with fellow Christians.
But when it comes to evangelising and sharing their spiritual faith with non-believers, by telling or showing them our living testimonies as a gospel-sharing opportunity, it becomes a completely different story altogether. Many tend to shy away from this activity.
In the most recent encounters with fellow brothers and sisters, I have heard so many reasons where they avoid evangelism. Excuses galore:
We often remember God's grace and blessings. We enjoy these fruits for being His children. We love being in the comfort zone, being looked after, knowing that we are safe.
What we don't remember is, what our purpose of being a Christian is. We often forget that we have surrendered our lives to follow our Lord Jesus. We forget we have made the decision to let go of our desires to serve him. We forget the most important and final direction that he has left us before he ascended to heaven: The Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20, Mark 16:14-20).
Experience does not magically come by declaring that you lack it. You have to get your hands dirty, bump a few nails. Jesus teaches his disciples that "... if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you." (Matthew 17:20)
Stop thinking what you can get out of your faith in Christ. Think what you can give through your faith in Christ! The bible tells us 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' (Acts 20:35) Think of those needy ones around you that are thirsting for living water, who would be so much better off if you could bring to them the Love, Joy and Peace that you are experiencing in your spiritual walk with Christ!
The bible says that we are the ambassadors of Christ and we are the light of the world that should shine before others, giving glory to our Father in heaven!
It is time to get out of the comfort zone and to play your part in the Great Commission!
I am certain that I am not alone on this, and when it comes to sharing your spiritual faith, we would often prefer sharing their faith and experiences amongst our fellow brothers and sisters, because it is much easier for them to comprehend the Love, Joy, Peace or Hardships that you may be spiritually experiencing. We are comfortable sharing it, and most of all, we are comforted in that you will know your fellow brothers and sisters will be praying for you.
I'm not saying this is a bad thing. We should all grow spiritually through fellowship/discipleship by sharing our spiritual experiences with fellow Christians.
But when it comes to evangelising and sharing their spiritual faith with non-believers, by telling or showing them our living testimonies as a gospel-sharing opportunity, it becomes a completely different story altogether. Many tend to shy away from this activity.
In the most recent encounters with fellow brothers and sisters, I have heard so many reasons where they avoid evangelism. Excuses galore:
- I only look after the finances in my fellowship. Evangelism is something that is someone else's responsibility within the fellowship. They will look after that. I have no part in it.
- I don't have the experiences to evangelise. I just don't think I am equipped to do it.
- I don't think God has planned for me to evangelise. I think I am better in discipleship. For some reason, I excel in helping people spiritually grow but making non-believers understand the gospel is really not what I am geared to do.
We often remember God's grace and blessings. We enjoy these fruits for being His children. We love being in the comfort zone, being looked after, knowing that we are safe.
What we don't remember is, what our purpose of being a Christian is. We often forget that we have surrendered our lives to follow our Lord Jesus. We forget we have made the decision to let go of our desires to serve him. We forget the most important and final direction that he has left us before he ascended to heaven: The Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20, Mark 16:14-20).
The Great Commission
14Afterward he appeared to the eleven themselves as they were reclining at table, and he rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen. 15And he said to them, "Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover." 19So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. 20And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by accompanying signs.]]
Experience does not magically come by declaring that you lack it. You have to get your hands dirty, bump a few nails. Jesus teaches his disciples that "... if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you." (Matthew 17:20)
Stop thinking what you can get out of your faith in Christ. Think what you can give through your faith in Christ! The bible tells us 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' (Acts 20:35) Think of those needy ones around you that are thirsting for living water, who would be so much better off if you could bring to them the Love, Joy and Peace that you are experiencing in your spiritual walk with Christ!
The bible says that we are the ambassadors of Christ and we are the light of the world that should shine before others, giving glory to our Father in heaven!
It is time to get out of the comfort zone and to play your part in the Great Commission!
