“Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” (1 Peter 4:9-10 NIV)
I like comfort, we all do. By fearing loss, failure, pain or uncertainty we seek out a comfortable path that can cushion us from the bruises of daily life. These fears lead us to stay in a designed comfort zone in which we can develop an attitude of absorbed weakness and this often ostracizes us from certain people we deem risky to our cloistered state. However, Christ made it clear in how we should behave towards one another, “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34b-35 NIV)
As relational beings created in God’s image we are called to serve and live in community and that implies interacting directly with others. By being God’s hands and feet on Earth we are able to positively impact others and often our lives are also touched by those around us. How often do you stretch beyond your comfort zone to interact with people different from you or in whom you disagree? It’s helpful to strip away all of our presupposed labels for those around us and view people only as individuals of eternal destiny made in God’s image.
Your task today? Simple. Choose challenge instead of comfort. Pray for specific opportunities to live outside yourself. Then step out of your comfort zone and reach in to the lives of those around you. Be aware of your surroundings and who may need the love of Christ poured on them today through you.
Lance H. Francis-Chief Operating Officer
Pray that you would have the courage to reach out to individuals today who might need for someone to show them the love of Christ.
