Getting out of our comfort zone

Last week I went to jail.

Lest you think I was arrested, I was there to sing with a group . We shared Christmas music with inmates at our county jail. This was a new experience for me and I was a little apprehensive about it.

I didn’t think I would come to harm. I just didn’t know what to expect. I thought the inmates might resent our presence and let us know it by their actions. I feared we might be rebuffed or ignored. I worried they might be angry at our presence.

I was out of my comfort zone.

Ever been there? Do new experiences make you nervous? Do you avoid tasks that take you out of your comfort zone?

Most of the time I embrace new challenges. I enjoy learning new things. Sometimes these “new things” might be considered a little extreme for a woman of my age.

At age 50 I had my first experience with rappelling. I loved it.

And…that same year–my first experience with a zip line, climbing wall, and ropes course. It was awesome!

 

The next year I “mastered” rock climbing (it was a small mountain). Even so, I still felt the thrill of success!

 

But, facing nature is not as daunting to me as being thrust into a group of strangers. In my job, I’ve learned to deal with my shyness and, with practice, I’ve developed the ability to comfortably converse in most situations.

But…that doesn’t mean it’s easy.

Moses felt out of his comfort zone when God called him to lead the Hebrews out of Egypt. He hid his face from God and begged to be excused from the task.

 

The Lord said, “I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering.” Exodus 3:7

But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” Exodus 3:11

Moses said to the Lord, “Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.” Exodus 4:10

But Moses said, “Pardon your servant, Lord. Please send someone else.” Exodus 4:13

But God said to Moses:  “Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.” Exodus 4:12b

In spite of his fear, hesitation, and determination to resist God’s call, God equipped Moses to complete the task. Moses recruited his brother Aaron as his spokesperson. Together, Moses and Aaron did the impossible–they compelled the mighty Pharaoh to release the Hebrews.

But, Moses and Aaron weren’t alone.

God was with them–just as He is with us when he calls us out of our comfort zone to complete His work.

Sometimes our work for the Lord requires that we step out bravely into a situation even when we don’t feel capable. We feel unprepared for the challenge before us. We are frightened that we will fail. But…

Our Lord doesn’t call us without equipping us.

So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors, and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up. Ephesians 4:12

So how did my visit to the jail turn out? In spite of my husband’s teasing, the guards did not keep me. And, my worries did not materialize into reality. The inmates sang with us and expressed their appreciation for our visit. Everyone was kind and respectful. And, as is usual in most cases when we accept God’s call to serve, we received more of a blessing than we gave.

What about you? What takes you out of your comfort zone? How does God help you face those challenges that threaten to derail your service to Him?