Vacuum Floors…Check

Remove Stains from Couch…Check

Oil Change…Check

Make Lunch…Check

Live Comfortably…Check

Invite the New Uncultured Family from Church…

Participate in Children Mentorship Program…

Visit the Retirement Home…

Offer to Take the Neighbor’s Kids for the Day…

Live Uncomfortably…

This morning I am reminded. As I prepare my home. Clean and decrease the clutter. Preparing for our friends to visit this weekend.

In the first year as newly weds, I dreaded having anyone over. I always felt awkward. What if they don’t like the food? How do I tell them to take off their shoes? When do I serve dessert? What if one of the kids pees on the floor? We don’t have enough room in our little trailer. On and on. I did not understand hospitality. I was afraid and insecure. God’s love did not rest in my heart in this matter.

In those days I wanted everything to be comfortable, perfect. Hospitality was more of a show than the gift of love. Hospitality was about me and not about my guests.

Now, this morning I feel in my heart, God’s gentle whisper. What about the least of these? It is easy, comfortable to serve your family and friends. They know you. They love you, but what about the rest? What about the rest of My children?

Uncomfortable is difficult, stretching, challenging. Comfortable feels good, normal, natural. However, comfortable is dangerous. Comfortable leads us to a life of ignoring, refusing God. And a rebellious life like that can lead to an eternity of pain.

God’s word teaches us in Matthew 25: 41-46

41 “Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, ‘Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons. 42 For I was hungry, and you didn’t feed me. I was thirsty, and you didn’t give me a drink. 43 I was a stranger, and you didn’t invite me into your home. I was naked, and you didn’t give me clothing. I was sick and in prison, and you didn’t visit me.’ 44 “Then they will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you?’ 45 “And he will answer, ‘I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.’ 46 “And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will go into eternal life.” NLT

 

Are our eyes open to opportunity? Opportunity to serve God through serving others.

It is not easy. It is not natural. I struggle in this area. I struggle living uncomfortably for God.

Yet I see, as I think about the evening meal for my guests. I see that God wants me to be stretched. God wants me to let go more and more of myself and put on more and more of His character.

In His character, striving for His likeness, the uncomfortable will be less and less resisted. The uncomfortable living will come from a surrendered, willing heart. A heart that loves Jesus. A heart that loves in loving others.

 

Philippians 1:11 being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. NKJV

Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. ESV