"What are you hungry for? Pizza?"
"Ah, maybe, but not Costco. I want some real pizza."
"How about Luigi's? We can cruise by Seaport Village after."
"I don't know. I'm not up for fighting traffic today."
"Let's see, Sammy's, Pizza Nova, Felippe's...."
"Nah, none of them sound good. Just call Costco, at least it's cheap..."
"Where do you want to ride to today?"
"Not sure, are we taking one or two bikes?"
"Two. Anywhere but Orange County, I was just there last week, and I need to do a bike swap next week."
"How about the Candy Store? Or riding out to Oak Glen?"
"Too much wind this weekend. You know we could always eat at El Cholo. come back on the Ortega..."
"Or down the coast. El Cholo sounds good, OK, Orange County it is..."
"We got invited to church again by Mike and Theresa. Said Evan Wickham is playing, supposed to be good."
"I don't know, that's such short notice. Maybe next week, unless you have anything else planned."
"No, but we keep putting him off. What do you have planned for tomorrow?"
"Nothing, but I don't wanna commit in case something else comes up. It's only church. No big deal. There is always something better to do."
"OK, let's just sleep in tomorrow, maybe go to a late breakfast. I just don't feel like doing something different anyway. Just more people making me feel bad. After work all week, I just don't need God messing with my life."
"OK-hey, I heard of a beer bash going on downtown. Let's try it."
"Now that sounds like fun. Let's ride down, party all day, then ride home."
"Sounds like a plan, much better than boring old church. Someday when I'm old and need God...nah, let's go have fun!"
And the more things don't change, the more things stay the same, to paraphrase "Engine" Charles Wilson. We all love to dream, to eat the best meals, travel the best roads, and some even have a desire for God. But when it comes down to it, it takes change. It takes a decision to do something different. To make something out of your life...but only a few do. We are told to "get out of our comfort zones," when really we are stuck in an "uncomfortable zone." It is just familiar to us, and we become like it, rather than dealing with a change in us. So I take exception to any pastor, teacher, or motivational guru who says we need to get out of our comfort zone. Hey man, it took me years to get there. And here's why...
The Holy Spirit is also known as the comforter. And for years, the old question would come up, "how do you know God's will for your life?" Great theological and philosophical discourses followed, and still do today. Until I got to know the Holy Spirit-1/3 of the Trinity. He is a person, and He is fully God. And I asked Him to guide and comfort me, and a funny thing happened-He did! I got to know God, and the more I do, the more I trust Him. And the more I trusted, the more I allowed Him to comfort me. I finally had the peace that Jesus promises surpasses all understanding. I was in a comfort zone with God, of God, and because of God. And I don't wish to be uncomfortable again. You can have your worry, your fears, and your doubts. I want the comfort that a loving God provides. And grace is the only way-and joy is the result. A fruit of the Spirit, and available to all. So when someone tells me to get out of my "comfort zone," you may not want to talk to me. You'll get it straight, and in love. You need the Spirit in your life! Submit to Him, and enjoy the things of God! Now that's comforting!
So if sometimes I appear to be careless, not worrying, and aloof, I'm not. I am really carefree. I am in God's comfort zone. I am sheltered from fear, worry, and all the other fun things that His comfort rescues me from. Yes, I still have problems, but knowing God is for me, that all things work out for my good, and that He loves me no matter what-yes, I have that peace. And it helps me make decisions. He knows my name! And I know His voice! Do you? If so, why do you live like you do?
And because God loves me, he has become the desire of my heart. And He fulfills the passions He has given me to ride, eat, and spend time with my wife. He has taken me from a dying church, to one that is alive, without asking, and without me knowing what was going on, and added life to my style. He reminds me even as I write, that where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. To do what I choose, and I choose GOD! And He lets the blessings flow, because I want them, and because He lets them. He calls it grace-a gift!
Do something again today for the first time. Take the road never ridden, just to see where it comes out. Eat at a diner that you passed by, but never stopped in. And accept an invitation to church. Surely 60 minutes of love can't ruin your precious schedule. Seek God, because it is the Spirit seeking you. It isn't your idea to seek God-it is God and His love calling you.
If you have a better offer than God, I encourage you to take it. But don't expect a comfort zone anywhere else but from God. Jesus Christ is the best offer you will ever have. Eternal life-a comforting thought. Freedom from fear-a comforting thought. And oh, the chimichangas at El Cholo, another comforting thought. All from a God who loves us. Welcome to the real comfort zone...
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com