Alright, I didn’t want to get into it. But sometimes God allows me to go through stuff that freakin’ sucks and then prompts my heart to write about it. So here we are. This is truly, from the overflow.
A few months ago, I shared about how my daughter doesn’t sleep and how it’s costing my very sanity. You can check it out here. Unfortunately, no change to report on that front. But it’s a tiny example of what many are dealing with in this season.
Our problems just won’t go away!
Maybe yours is related to…
- the pandemic
- polarized political views
- relationship challenges (spouse, child, relative, friend?)
- work struggles
- physical health issues
- strained mental health
…and all the ramifications thereof?
So let me ask you this:
Hearing that for the first time felt like a bucket of water dumped over my head; but like the coziest hug too… somehow all at the same time.
Some follow up questions:
What am I really after in this life? What do I really want?? Is it comfort? Is it ease? Is it a pain-free, smooth ride?
Umm, yes. That’s literally what I want. And all I want.
- I don’t want things to be difficult.
- I don’t want an uphill battle.
- I don’t want to be pushed out of my comfort zone.
- I don’t want to struggle.
- I don’t want my people to struggle.
- I don’t want to be uncomfortable
- And I don’t want to grow. I DON’T!
This past year has been difficult on a lot of people, but not all for the same reasons. No matter your experience, I think we can all admit that it’s pretty much been THE WORST. We just can’t seem to agree on why.
Whether you fear the virus, the government, or what another minute stuck in your house will do to your mental health… we all have a choice in how we’ll deal with what we’re facing.
I confess, this year of survival mode for me has been with a lot of numbing. Numbing with Netflix, comfort foods, mindless scrolling, etc.
But is that the ultimate goal? I’ve really got to ask myself: is this all I want?? To be numbed out of feeling any kind of pain that forces me to deal with hard things?
And what then? Say I choose to deal with those things. Once that’s done and I’ve put on my big girl pants, maybe even matured a little… What do I do with it all?
It’s meaningless if God’s Kingdom mission does not become my own life mission.
Let me say that again...
If my life doesn’t become about God’s kingdom mission, it’s all meaningless.
At some point we must ask ourselves:
Do we actually want to be used by God in drawing people to Him?
And if following Jesus is so important to us, why are we not talking about it more?
These are just questions I’m personally wrestling with. I’m sorry if they ruffle feathers. But also, not sorry…?
Because honestly, I’m just nearing the end of myself with this extreme desperation for comfort over character. After all, comfort does not build character. As much as I wish it would. And the longer I sit in the presence of Jesus, the less I care about how cushy my sweet little life really is.
If you’re looking for validation in your quest for comfort, then good news is that you can absolutely settle for simply eternal salvation with a comfortable life!
That’s because God’s love for us doesn’t change. BUT! …our effectiveness does.
If you’re like me and the latter doesn’t sit well with you, then read on, friend! There’s work to be done if we’re willing!
Here’s what I propose regarding character > comfort:
Let’s get back to the basics!
- LOVE GOD. LOVE PEOPLE. (Mark 12:30-31)
- LOVE YOUR ENEMIES (Luke 6:27-36)
- TAKE GREATER INTEREST IN OTHERS – less navel-gazing? (Philippians 2:1-11)
- PRAY FOR THOSE WHO PERSECUTE YOU – or even just disagree with you! (Matthew 5:44)
- BE HUMBLE (Ephesians 4:2)
- HUNGER AND THIRST FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS – desperate desire to be right with God! (Matthew 5:6)
- SHOW MERCY (James 2:12-13)
- HAVE A PURE HEART – integrity! (Philippians 1:9-11)
- WORK FOR PEACE (Romans 14:19)
- WATCH YOUR ANGER (Matthew 5:21-22)
- BE GENEROUS (2 Corinthians 9:6-8)
- BE PERFECT – ok, ouch (Matthew 5:48)
We could go on, of course. But a common thread is that these can be super hard to do!
In general, we’re just not naturally inclined to do anything that might compromise our comfort. It goes against our survival instincts!
It requires intentional work and sacrifice. But these are the very things that will build REAL character in our lives.
It’s truly a matter of priorities. What matters more to me? Obedience to God, His will, His purpose for my life? Or my own plans and agenda?
Perhaps you can relate to this, but I have a tendency to manipulate my own interpretations of scripture or understanding of God’s character to suit my needs and desires.
Yes, God is for us. (Romans 8:31)
Yes, He fights our battles. (Exodus 14:14)
Yes, He works for our favour… etc etc etc. (Psalm 84:11)
These things are true AND biblical! But how they manifest may look very different from God’s perspective and our expectations.
Let’s recall our original question, is He still good if He only sustains me through the very thing I’m asking Him to save me from?
Can I come to terms with that, and still trust Him?
Can I still believe that the comfort I’m giving up to follow Him will be worth the character He is building in me?
Worth the intimacy He offers in His presence? Is it worth it? Is He worth it?
Because it’s got to be a daily sacrifice of comfort.
Even more than that, it’s also a sacrifice of control. Or actually, the illusion of control.
I think this past year taught me that more than any other time in my life. I don’t actually control my life like I thought I did! The question is, will I trust God with all that this implies, or claw my way back to the driver’s seat of a car I’m lousy at driving anyway?
I’m almost positive that this blog post has got more questions than any other I’ve written. Probably because I’m still working through all this.
- I haven’t arrived.
- I’m not yet where I want to be.
- I’m still selfish and moody.
- Still fail constantly at all the basics I previously mentioned.
- Still revert to numbing pain.
- Still prioritize my own comfort over submitting to the character-building I know God wants for me.
- Still learning to bring that mess of crap to Jesus.
- Still learning to trust Him to sustain me.
My dearly loved readers….
I pray with great faith for you, because I’m fully convinced that the One who began this good work in you will faithfully continue the process of maturing you until the unveiling of our Lord Jesus Christ!
– Philippians 1:6
From The Overflow 