Is God Dragging You Outside Your Comfort Zone?

For the last few months, I have been guest-hosting a faith-based podcast. It was just supposed to be one or two episodes, but here we are on episode 10. When we began, I felt completely inadequate. Hosting a podcast was completely outside of my comfort zone. I decided to approach it by being a thoughtful listener and letting guests tell their own stories, without "the host" getting in the way (too much). With several episodes ready for release, I am actually enjoying this new experience.

I've tried many things lately that are outside of my zone. It has become apparent that I am in God's zone. There is no "comfort." I find myself asking, "Okay Lord, what's next?"

2 Timothy 1:6-8
For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control. Do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord ...

Perhaps, I have been walking the same mundane path for too long. The word "rut" sums it up. And now, God is challenging me to try new things and use my talents in new ways. It has given me opportunities to experience Him in new places and faces. If I had said "no" to any of my recent "adventures." I would have missed abundant blessings and the "eternal" impact He has allowed me to make by serving others.

If I had stayed on the same, old road, I would have missed a deeper spiritual walk. I wouldn't have taken that turn that led to new, life-long friends and a new faith family. On the winding path in God's zone, I realize that all gifts and talents come from God. He gives us everything we need to accomplish all He asks of us. Our faith should be big because our God is big.

Ephesians 1:8-9 (The Message) He thought of everything, provided for everything we could possibly need, letting us in on the plans he took such delight in making. He set it all out before us in Christ, a long-range plan in which everything would be brought together and summed up in Him.

Stepping outside of our comfort zones is what God desires for us. He doesn't call us to live a "practical" life. He wants us to experience a life in Him beyond anything we can imagine. He wants us to fully embrace our faith and "step out of the boat" when He stretches out His hand.

Take heart, my friends, many of the Godly men and women in scripture were fearful and made excuses not to live outside of their comfort zones (too old, not qualified, not good at public speaking), but God continued calling and asking. Each one ultimately chose obedience ... courage over comfort. Throughout the Bible, God used them in bold and mighty ways. He calls the ordinary to do the extraordinary.

I likely would never use "extraordinary" to describe me or the journey I've been on these last weeks and months, but I've tried to lean into my season of waiting. I am determined to shake off complacency. I'm staying open to stepping out of the boat to whatever new experiences God has for me. When you begin to place limits on God, remember He has unlimited resources. If you are saying "yes" to Him, He's providing you with those same unlimited resources.

Ephesians 3:16 says, “I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources, He will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit.”

Whatever God calls you to do or wherever He calls you to go, He goes with you. If He's dragging you outside of your comfort zone, stop trying to claw your way back in! He wants to expand you in ways beyond human understanding. When the act of faith of stepping outside of your comfort zone feels "scary huge," just remember, the blessings and spiritual growth will be proportionately immeasurable.