Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.  –Psalm 23:4

Every time I pick a nice smooth path for my life, God seems to jerk me out of my comfort zone.

I tend to gravitate towards Christianity that is…comfortable.

That, however, is not the example Christ set for us.

Christ was uninterested in the easy road.  Instead, he made a bee-line for injustice, for people who were hurting, for the forgotten ones.

Do I have to do the same thing?

Because…well, here’s my “outside my comfort zone” list (make your own):

• I’m outside my comfort zone when I talk to strangers–especially when it comes to talking about my faith.
• I’m outside my comfort zone when I’m surrounded by people whose values may or may not match my own.
• I’m outside my comfort zone when serving somebody isn’t enough — an actual relationship is called for.
• I’m outside my comfort zone when God prods me to dare beyond the status quo.
• I’m outside my comfort zone when I face the possibility of rejection.
• I’m outside my comfort zone when I’m in the valley of the shadow of death.

The valley of the shadow of death?  Yeah.  I think of that as our mission field.  That’s where so many hurt and lost people are living.

We’re called to connect with them, scary as it may be.

But here’s some Good News: Psalm 23 says “thy rod and thy staff they COMFORT me.”

You get it?  God establishes a comfort zone even in the most uncomfortable place imaginable.

That means when we serve people, when we invite people to know about Christ, when we challenge the forces of darkness, God is there, comforting us.

Hear these words from Isaiah:

Comfort, comfort my people,
    says your God.
A voice of one calling:
“In the wilderness prepare
    the way for the Lord;
make straight in the desert
    a highway for our God.
⁴ Every valley shall be raised up,
    every mountain and hill made low;
the rough ground shall become level,
    the rugged places a plain.
⁵ And the glory of the Lord will be revealed,
    and all people will see it together.
For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”  –Isaiah 40:1,3-5

One day, “every valley shall be raised up”.

Until then, that’s where the work of the faithful must be done.

Yes, it will likely be outside your comfort zone.

But not God’s.

Have a great week,

Mitch