The Really Big Problem with Living in Your Tiny Comfort Zone

 

Comfort zones are big liars. You’ve probably already learned this, but I’m just starting to understand how tiny and controlling our comfort zones are.

What if God is more creative than our comfort zones?

What if God gives the fantastic dances to the epic players, the ones willing to take out their headphones and listen to His music?

What if God has an epic dance planned for you, but you’re stuck doing the same two steps? What if you’re distracted trying to keep yourself (and everyone else) comfortable, you’re missing the real music of your life?

What if He has massively bigger plans for each and every one of us? What is He wants you to set the world on fire, but you’re scared the heat might get uncomfortable?

I think that’s happening to me. I’m comfortable with my earbuds shoved in my ears, listening to the same, repetitive note of my small mind. My earbuds are the ones playing the same stupid song about needing to make everyone happy.

Here what my Song of Comfort sounds like:

1. I force my energy, enthusiasm, and love on those who have a God-sized hole in their lives. Maybe I can make them happy? Maybe I can save them? Maybe they’ll like me the best? I sure will keep trying, over and over and over again because trying keeps me comfortable.

2. I listen and nod as people recreationally complain. These are not third-world orphans who are complaining, but Americans, like me, who were born in the most privileged country on the planet. Why can’t I tell them my time is more valuable than listening to this? Well, because that would get uncomfortable.

3. I work my night job as the Holy Spirit.  I lie in bed and pretend my worry will change parts of my life I can’t control. This job is exhausting, of course, but someone has to imagine how much better life would be if everyone behaved like I want them to.

4. I shop for things that I will have to manage, clean, organize, and declutter. And then I complain about all the stuff we have.

Here’s what I’m missing out on:

1. I want to listen to God’s creative music in my writing. Sometimes I feel like every book every written is the testament of one person’s victory over Facebook and comfort zone. He is playing epic, beautiful music I could really dance to.

2. I want to build relationships with those people who I value, like, respect, and enjoy. This would mean the love of a few instead of the admiration of the crowd. Honestly, that sounds so much more beautiful than my life now.

3. God is always shifting, changing, molding, and developing my husband and kids. What if I stepped back a bit and let this unfold? What if I quit worrying so much about raising a great family and noticed the one God is giving me right here?

4.Enough with the all of the things and shopping and buying all the time. I want less stuff, less clutter, less junk and more savings for what we really need. God’s music tells me there is a better way.

What about you? What music are you playing? What’s your comfort zone?

And what dance does God want you to learn?