All who love being comfortable, raise your hand! Did you raise yours? Perhaps you have more questions. Are we focusing on physical comfort? Creature comforts? Emotional comfort? Yes!
A colleague mentioned a book the other day, The Comfort Crisis by Michael Easter, and the importance of stepping outside our comfort zone to ensure we keep growing. We are to do this less-than-fun activity not once in a while but every day! This challenge asks, “What are you mentally and spiritually willing to put yourself through to be a better human?” While I have not read this book, the concept stirs my desire for personal and spiritual growth.
For quite some time, the Lord has had me living this challenge, perhaps not every day, but often. I would not say I am yet comfortable being uncomfortable, but I’m less resistant when these “opportunities for growth” come my way. For instance, this summer, I participated in a poetry writing seminar. This workshop was difficult but also a growing experience that sparked a curiosity for this writing style.
If we don’t step out of our comfort zone, how will we know how far we can go? Perhaps this prompted Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI) to share these words, “The world promises you comfort, but you were not made for comfort. You were made for greatness.”
Today, the Lord challenges me in a new way – to share my poem that was a product of this seminar. This is far from my typical reflective writing style, and I have work to do to grow as a poet. However, this poem comes from the depths of my heart and time spent with Jesus; thus, it seems fitting that He desires I share it with you.
Where is the Lord challenging you to step out, to take a chance? Where is He calling you to greatness?
My All
It is You, Oh Lord, that I depend upon, trust, and desire.
For You may my heart be set afire.
Whether lost in the dark or adrift at sea,
You are the light that burns through my haze.
Let me rest in You, for this I plea!
In Your heart may I spend my days.
Safe! Oh, safe, you keep me.
Your gentle voice guides, sets straight my ways.
With a grateful heart and on bended knee,
my eyes yearn to meet your loving gaze.
As Your love penetrates my soul, tears break free.
My voice softly offers my song of glorious praise.
Holy, Holy, Holy is Your name!
Lord, I surrender that which You desire.
My heart, my mind, my soul - set afire.
Linda Schwartz