Warning: You Are Leaving Your Comfort Zone (9/27/2023)

This past week, my husband and I traveled to Sioux City, Iowa for five days to help with the care of my mother who had been hospitalized for a heart event. We traveled light: 2 suitcases, a shared toiletry case, and 2 fans (okay, maybe not so light). The first two days, I spent a great deal of time at the hospital with my mother. Then, after she was discharged, I spent most of the time with her doing the things she wanted to do and needed to do. I felt like I was on a mission, and every day I was away, I felt like I was outside of my comfort zone.

I hadn’t realized how much I like things predictable and arranged according to my liking.

As my husband drove us home, I had time to reflect quietly most of the time and out loud some of the time, on how poorly I do outside my comfort zone. I attribute some of it to age; I was more daring as a young adult than as a senior citizen. First of all, life without my porch moments almost gave me a tic. I compensated by leaving the hotel room immediately after waking with my creamer in hand. I made my way to the lobby for free coffee and then to the “garden” area to sit on damp cushions (it rained every day I was there) and check out unfamiliar territory and creatures. Second, navigating around the city that had changed so much since I was 21 was challenging. Third, there was no “usual” in my days; everything was different from the scenery to the food to the people.

By the time I was packing the car to head home, I knew in my heart of hearts that I was not a good candidate for on the road sales. I told the LORD that, out loud, as I brought a load to the car. I think I spooked the gentleman two cars down with my conversation with my invisible LORD.

I admit it. I have created a “comfort zone” in which I am most content. I like adventures, or so I tell myself, but this past week I realized that I like the idea of an adventure, but I’m happiest when I know the territory and I am surrounded by the familiar. But as I discussed this discovery with my husband on our return trip, I realized that I wasn’t created for a “comfort zone.” And then today, the gospel reading is on Jesus sending out the disciples to teach and heal. And I said to the LORD, “All right. I get it.”

I cannot use the title disciple if I am unwilling to go out of my comfort zone for Christ. I have known this theoretically for years; this past week the LORD reminded me in a most profound way. Life’s learning curve is steep. I am called to be Christ’s disciple, to deny myself and what I prefer, to pick up my cross which means there will be suffering involved in my journey, and to follow where Christ leads me. I will not always like the road chosen. My job isn’t to be comfortable; my job is to be faithful.

May we “disciples” of Christ recognize the love necessary in our vocation. May we be willing to set down our desire for comfort and pick up in its stead our desire to love and serve our LORD. May we pray to the Spirit for the courage and perseverance to do so faithfully.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.