6/16/97 Comfort Zones
(If it is welcome and a blessing, send it on to others,Lee)
Out of my comfort zone. That's what yesterday was about.
On Saturday, God explained to me, He wanted service changed. First, of all, the only message swirling about my head was why was I doing this. Things had gotten hectic, people's lives were seemingly out of control, and in the midst of it I was trying to stay hooked to the rock in a swirling sea.
Ever since I decided to move ahead with God's direction for this tent, the attack has been steady. It encourages me for I know there is great victory, just around the corner. And yet, my heart hurts when I see people under attack. It is like swimming, sooner or later they have to get wet. So I am pursuing God. And I hear scriptures....
Hebrews
4:14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
1Corinthians
10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
And these are the scriptures He gave me to prepare a message from. Okay, now we are moving ahead.
But, "Lee, I want you to change service." Well, my "flowing" services, have a rhythym that I recognize. They may "breath" differently, but there is something of comfort. I recognize it. "Lord, what if..." And I know that you have heard similar conversations. So, I go out on the limb and say, "what?", bad choice. "I want you to give announcements, preach, have communion, and have worship and then praise." (Our somewhat "normal" service is praise, worship and the Word.) I wanted to argue, but I knew He was right.
So there goes my comfort zone. Step out. How many times have I told someone that> I wanted to argue, and yet He has asked me to go through some pretty wild stuff and it has been ok.
The results-God poured out His Spirit in such a mighty way that there was no conflict. Everyone loved it! People are saying can we do that again. My daughter, Amy, is saying "this was cool!" People called up to say great job. OK. I get it. Being out of our comfort zones is good.
So we get to lunch, my wife and daughter want to take me out, so I invite a couple of friends (after asking!!!), and we go to the local restaurant. My wife, Tina, thinks they take checks, they don't. Out of my comfort zone. I hate doing dishes. I feel uptight, even though I came armed with cash (just in case.) It worked out ok, the red does come out of my face, and we had a good time.
Went to see my dad, and I had called him from my car to make sure he was home.
When I got there he was talking about my youngest brother had called, and would be there in 20 minutes. 1 1/2 hours later I realized he mistaked my call for my brother's (who always calls from his car). Embarrassment. Out of the comfort zone.
We get that all taken care of and head off to a friend's church. I walk in after the music starts, see they don't have a drummer. Look over to see our keyboard person on the organ. She's motioning with her head to go the drums. I didn't respond. After that song, she says to the pastor and his wife, do I have to embarass him, get him up here. They agree! Another comfort zone bursts. Different drums (and no, Bob, they are not my electric drums!), different music, even a book. The only redeeming thing here was drummers can hide behind drums.
I made it through all the requests. And stumbled back to my seat. Redfaced and all.
And then he teaches on Ephesians 6. "Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might."
I obviously have miles to go in the battle of dying to one's self. Send me to a prison, a nursing home or place me on the street with 20 angry bikers, but send me to a door to knock, and my pulse could play drums. Being up in front of people is only by the grace of God. It is the hardest thing I do. And yet all these things must be done to see His Kingdom come.
I could choose to be disobedient, and hell is just around the corner for those I may not speak to. I did that once, I have never forgotten the feeling I had. It was not good.
Today, when God asks you to step outside your circle. Perhaps to witness to a relative, or he places you in a room with a person who is raving about something, and you hear that voice inside, ask you to talk to them, don't disobey.
The results will change God's Kingdom and you.
Dear Friends:
Selah.
Shalom.
We pray for you, each and every day. If this is an encouragement to you. Please tell us, and please email it to someone else. If you have a prayer request, please mail it to us. We want to stand with you, battling spiritual wickedness, seeing people made free. We want to serve our brother and sister.
In the Service of Christ for His Glory,
Lee Johndrow
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Springfield, Vermont 05156
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Thank you,
Lee & Tina Johndrow
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