Embracing risk and discomfort??

Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere….  –Psalm 84:10a (NIV)
 
Years spent in luxury and comfort can’t compare to one day spent with God—in His presence; experiencing His love; living His truth; doing His work. And, astonishingly, God doesn’t offer us just single days, mere glimpses, fleeting encounters. He offers all of Himself, all the time—as much as we want, as much as we choose.
 
And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power… to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.  –Ephesians 3:17b-19 (NIV)
 
One proven method of choosing Him is to strip away worldly comfort, strip away predictability and self-sufficiency and intentionally move into situations we can’t handle on our own. Jesus sent His disciples into such situations. He told them to travel light and resist taking anything that could provide comfort, predictability, self-sufficiency. Things like money, extra clothing, supplies.
 
Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road.  –Luke 10:3-4 (NIV)
 
They had to rely on Him. And they returned full of joy. Because they’d been willing to move, in faith, into risk and discomfort, they got to spend precious days with God. And the stories they came back with!
 
The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.”  –Luke 10:17 (NIV)
 
Their excitement brought Jesus joy. He was thrilled to have them experience His goodness firsthand. It was all He had ever wanted for them.
 
Then he turned to his disciples and said privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. For I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.”  –Luke 10:23-24 (NIV)
 
Okay, so what do we do?
Ask yourself, what am I doing—right now—that requires faith? We grow accustomed to choosing risk and discomfort through practice. So, look for ways to practice, brother. Look today for what moves your heart. Reach out to someone who needs help. Spend time with someone who needs a friend. Commit to a service project. Sign-up for a short-term mission trip. When you do, you won’t be able to contain the stories He gives you to tell.
 
(This message was adapted from the Convoy Facebook post, “Got Risk… Discomfort?” published by Stan Chesser on May 25, 2024. For more great content from Stan, check out the Convoy Facebook page.)