My realllly close friends and family can tell you that I might be one of the world's largest skeptics--a strength when certain discernment is needed but also a great weakness when it turns into a mechanism to protect myself unnecessarily. Truthfully, sometimes it's just easier to stay in your comfort zone of "like minded" people--but, truthfully, that's just not always where the Lord wants us.
I have a prime example in a furry little lady I know named Sercy. Sercy was my sister's 11th birthday present eight years ago (bear with me even if you aren't a dog person).
Around four years later, a new man entered the scene, this cutie patootie named Boo.
Well, five years after Sercy and Boo became siblings, Sercy still did not really understand the concept or definition of sibling love. She has not liked the competition, the split attention, the company, you name it...she just hasn't been too fond, and quite frankly, it has brought out the worst in her. It's caused her to be snippy, ornary (sp?) and just a grumpy lady!
My parents and sister have been traveling a lot lately so we've been keeping these doggies at our house which means Sercy has been moved out of "her" territory, her comfort zone. She's not the one "in charge." These two dogs have finally been forced onto equal ground.
Low and behold, guess what has happened? Sercy has started LOVING Boo of all things. It's amazing. After all these years, she all of a sudden loves the brother that was given to her and is lost if he is not in her presence. The two of them now look out for one another and are sweet to one another.
How many of us are like that?
If you ask me, this is a lesson for us women....that once we get over our "territory," we can love our "brother" (or sister) in the way we were created. Furthermore, our "territory" is enhanced and even expands!
I was reminded of this last night when I attended a coffee at my church where I only knew a handful of people. Most of the "security blankets" in my direct comfort zone were not in attendance. Shamefully, if you had told me that not many of my close church friends were going to be there beforehand, I may not have gone. However, it was an AMAZING night. I invited a couple of special friends outside of church that actually came and I was able to connect in a new way with some beautiful sisters in Christ. Most importantly, I witnessed an indescribable energy and presence of the Holy Spirit that I never would have witnessed if I had remained in my comfort zone. I love it when the Lord lifts our eyes!
Both of these examples remind me of the Prayer of Jabez from the Bible.
“Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!” 1 Chronicles 4:10
Are you a Sercy? Are you skeptical of anything new in your life? Are you trapped in your comfort zone? I know I am guilty, guilty, guilty.
Will you join me in praying the prayer of Jabez...that your territory will be enlarged including really loving your brother (1 John 4:20-21)...yes, even if it's not in your comfort zone?
1 comment:
These are helpful thoughts. Our church is starting a MOPS group which will certainly take me out of my comfort zone. I suspect that I will be stretched as I learn to connect with women who are not like me.
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