As some of you may already know I am back from our trip to Mexico. This trip once again was very meaningful and influential into all our lives. Every time I venture out on mission trips I get excited about what God will teach me. I live in anticipation of the lessons I can learn. The thing about mission trips is that they remove you from your comfort zone.

Nothing great ever came from being comfortable.

I often heard people on the trip mention how uncomfortable they were with their surroundings, their schedule, spanish, kids, work projects, or even each other. I don't think they enjoyed being uncomfortable. In fact, no one really likes to be uncomfortable. However, the neat thing about being uncomfortable is that it prompts action. Action brings change, and change is good. Perhaps you are uncomfortable with change?

I get the most concerned when I hear people talk about being comfortable spiritually. This is scary because it normally means that they want God to stand at a distance so they can live the way they want. It usually means they don't really care much about growing in the Lord or serving Him. They have become numb to the voice of God and just want things to stay comfortable and easy. Nobody ever said being a follower of Christ was going to be easy just read these verses:

"In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple." (Luke 14:33)

"Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked." (II Cor. 11:24-27)

Do you think that guy ever spent much time being comfortable? These words are from the Apostle Paul, speaking about what he has been through in his pursuit of preaching the gospel and serving Christ. I have always respected the life of Paul. Think about what all those uncomfortable times brought about in Paul's life. The greatness that came from his life came because he lived uncomfortable. I think he explains it best when he says:

"But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. (and suffered all things) I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ." (Phil. 3:7-8; parenthetical part added)

Uncomfortable might just be the best thing in your life.

-Josh