Thursday, October 18, 2007

Uncomfortable

Well it has been a couple of rough days in the Loper household but, but, God is faithful to strengthen and encourage. God never promised to give us smooth sailing all the time but He did promise to never leave or forsake us. Reaching people is more important than our comfort. I don't think that the disciples were comfortable, I don't think that the first century Christians were comfortable, I don't think that missionaries in places like China, Africa, Haiti and South America are comfortable so why should we here in America be so comfortable. Pastor Byron was talking about this subject with me a few days ago and I totally agree with him. We as human beings gravitate to places of comfort. It is the human tendency to work toward a comfortable place especially when times have been more challenging. Just look at America, we are always trying to achieve a greater level of comfort and convenience and that philosophy has been interwoven into American church culture. It would be wonderful for those of us that have been through so much during the transition into C3 Church to seek a level of comfort and convenience but we WILL NOT. It is not the job of the staff of C3 to get comfortable and coast (I know Pastor Byron would not let us even if we wanted to :-) ). The reason we will not become comfortable is because the time is short and there are too many lives at stake not to be relentless in our pursuit of the un-churched. Nothing is left off the table as we evaluate the best way to reach lives. There are no "sacred cows" and nothing that will stop us from doing the work God has given us. No matter what people that have left us might say, no matter what other churches might say, no matter what friends might even say, we have counted the cost and we will not be shaken! Our comfort is not important. When you actually think about it, there is nothing comfortable about the great commission. Like I told Pastor Byron a few days ago, "I've been uncomfortable for a good long time now so being uncomfortable some more is something I am learning to live with." The Lord said that he will supply all of our needs. Therefore He will carry us through our rough and rocky times. He is our source of strength through our lack of comfort.

So bring it on, lives, souls, are worth being uncomfortable.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

what happens if you become comfortable with being uncomfortable? are then no longer uncomfortable but comfortable? :)

signed,
your incredibly deep/smart alec sister-in-law!

Darrell said...

There is a difference between learning to live with a state of uncomfortability and becoming comfortable with it. Kinda like learning to live with a smart alec sister-in-law. :-) Love ya little sis (Cassie).