"Don't ever save anything for a special occasion. Being alive is the special occasion." I remember, growing up, seeing people leave the plastic on their lampshades or have plastic covers on their sofas. I remember thinking how you would stick to that in the summer. It was so tacky! I just saw on pinterest that plastic sofa covers are back for indoor and outdoor furniture! A few years ago I was tired of looking at my Granny's fine china, along with mine, in my china cabinet. I decided that it could sit there, looking pretty, until I die and then someone else can enjoy it or get rid of it. But, was I enjoying it or was I too afraid of breaking it? That is the day I got rid of my everyday china and began using the good stuff! And I must say, I have enjoyed it!
I think we are that way with our lives sometime. We may not even know it. I have to ask myself am I really trying to be all that God intends for me to be? I am really no different that china sitting in a cabinet if I am not willing to take the risk for God. Has God asked you to get out of your comfort zone? I think about Peter. Matthew 14: 29, "'Come,' he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus." Peter was definitely taking a risk! To walk on water! Would you? It took faith and courage because Peter knew his own limitations.
As followers of Christ, we will be called out of our comfort zones. And when we do step out The Holy Spirit will stretch and mold us into stronger believers. David was another risk taker.
The Israelites were at war with the Philistines and they kept hearing about the nine foot giant named Goliath. Saul and the Israelites were terrified not seeing a solution. David was just a boy and he approached the giant with only a few pebbles! 1 Samuel 17: 38-39, "Then Saul dressed David in his own tunic. He put a coat of armor on him and a bronze helmet on his head. David fastened on his sword over the tunic and tried walking around, because he was not used to them. 'I cannot go in these,' he said to Saul, 'because I am not used to them.' So he took them off." David remembered what God had done in the past. He remembered God's faithfulness in the past. When we remember what God has done in the past and His faithfulness we are strengthened. 1 Thessalonians 5: 24, "The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it." We can trust Him!
Later in verse 45, "David said to the Philistine, 'You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.'" David didn't talk with fear, he talked with faith! David faced his giant, literally. What is our giant we need to face? Are we walking in faith, having the courage to face our giant? Are we remembering Who is always faithful beyond belief?
David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel., " David went in the name of the Lord. There is power in this! I love the last verse, "and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel." David stepped out of his comfort zone, taking a huge risk. He did it because he had faith and he claimed it by going and stating his victory! Through this David brought glory to God!
It is easy to play it safe and sit on the shelf and look pretty but God calls us for so much more! He calls us not to be afraid. Fear paralyzes us and keeps us from doing what God calls us to do. 1 John 4: 18, "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love." With God, we do not have to fear.
"When God calls us out of our comfort zones, He is not calling us to be comfortable in the situation. He is calling us to be comfortable with Him and His will, despite our situation."
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