Tag: comfort zone

Be Ready to Step Out

On By vickleaIn devotional, Scripture, YouVersion AppLeave a comment

I am not a “people person.” In fact, I am an introvert who enjoys books and interactions with people online, but I don’t enjoy going out to be among the masses of people. In fact, I was once diagnosed with agoraphobia (fear of crowded places) and was on medication and therapy as a result. I say all that because today’s devotional deals with stepping out and being with people. I cannot see Jesus just texting someone the answer to their prayer. He reached out and touched them. He spoke to them personally, listening and getting to know them and their needs. Jesus was a “people person” and if I am going to be like Jesus, I have to step out and be there for others. I am not sure how to begin, but as my father-in-law used to wisely say, “The best way to begin is just to start.”

From the YouVersion Bible App Devotional, “Daily Power, Day 5” by Craig Groeschel

Some people blame our lack of genuine community on the invention of the air conditioner. Before AC, people would sit on their front porches in the evenings and try to catch a breeze to cool off. They would wave at neighbors and visit with the ones who stopped to chat over a glass of lemonade. With air conditioning installed, people can stay inside and don’t have to interact with their neighbors.

Attaching garages to our houses didn’t help either. Instead of walking from our driveways or detached garages and exchanging greetings with neighbors along the way, we pull in, shut the door, and we’re inside our house. Fences, gated communities, answering machines, and caller ID reinforced this notion that we want to be left alone. We don’t have to interact with anyone, so we don’t. Now people interact online and through social media and really never have to interact. You can even shop online.

But Jesus always had time for other people. He talked to them, fed them, healed them, and forgave them. He often met physical needs in order to address spiritual needs. If we’re too busy even to interact with the people around us, let alone engage with their struggles, then we’re not following Christ’s example. And we’re also missing out on the blessing of loving and serving one another.

Today take the time to stop, listen, and talk with someone you see every day but rarely slow down to get to know.

Power Lift: Lord, it’s easy to make excuses about why I don’t engage with more people in my daily life. But you remind me to show your love to everyone I meet. Give me wisdom to know when to interrupt my schedule in order to bless those around me.

Seek Ways to Serve God

On By vickleaIn Scripture, YouVersion App4 Comments

www.bible.com/reading-plans/11667/day/10

Serve while you grow and you end up growing more. I found in my life as a teacher in various states teaching various subjects that nowhere did I grow more in my knowledge and dependence on God than when I was told I would be teaching Latin I in high school. I am trained to teach Spanish and history, but the administrators needed a Latin teacher and said that since I had a background in Spanish (a Romance language) I would do fine. Let me tell you, I studied that subject every night, barely staying ahead of the students. The Latin teacher who was there to help me for about a month left to get knee surgery, had complications and was out for most of the year. So, there was me and a substitute who knew no Latin or any language at all. I did have one human resource, a teacher named David from another school who would answer all of my questions. (I kept a running list.) I also called on God over and over again to help me to understand and to remember the conjugations, declensions and vocabulary that were all totally new to me. My six week class of introductory Latin in high school that I took to help with my SAT scores was not terribly helpful, but David was and God calmed my spirit. I learned by doing. I taught and I learned.

Sometimes, we are called to step outside of our comfort zone and just do what God is calling us to do. This week I have been at my sister’s house in NC. I would much rather be in my warm home in VA, preparing for a visit from my son and his family. She is not especially pleasant to be around since she is not a Christian, wants little or nothing to do with God and seems to have developed a bitter spirit about Him since she is going blind. I have helped all that I can. I have prepared meals, cleaned, ministered to her needs so she doesn’t have to struggle to get up. I have tried to show her that Christians are not sanctimonious and judgmental but loving and kind. Has this been a great visit for me? Not according to earthly standards, but I have been doing what God sent me here to do. I have served. I am not trying to toot my horn or get pats on the back. I am just saying that someone, somewhere can use your gifts, talents and ministry of serving. You just have to find where and how to do it. You will never know true fulfillment here on earth until you are following Jesus’s example and serving, even when the people you serve don’t seem to see or appreciate what you do. God sees and He is smiling at you because you are looking more like His beloved Son every day that you serve others.