Thursdays in the Truth: It's Fall, Y'all, Throw Open Your Windows!

Fall has finally found its way to Arizona.  It’s not fall like other places might define it but it’s our fall.  This is the season where your flesh doesn’t melt from the bone the second you step outside.  Native Arizonans may be heard to say there is a “chill” in the air.  We know you east-coasters and mid-westerners giggle every time we say it.  Seriously, over night lows in the 60’s are the best! 

It’s glorious.  I’ve been opening my windows and even “encouraged” the Mr. to install a new screen door.  Today, though, I saw something that gave me pause.  There have been a string of burglaries in several of our west valley neighborhoods.  Many people are on high alert.  Today a woman recounted a situation where a man knocked on her door even though she had a no soliciting sign on it.  She was certain he was up to no good.  She even listed tips to stay safe.  Among other things, she suggested keeping all windows and doors shut and locked, to keep all blinds closed, and never answer the door. 

I have been opening my windows and my doors every day.   Hello!  I just bought a new screen door.  That’s the whole reason I bought the blasted thing.   The first thing I do every morning is open all the blinds.  I love the sun pouring in the house, especially now that it’s not 120 degrees outside.  I was torn.  I wait all year to be able to enjoy nature from the bug-free comfort of my own home.  I didn’t really want to close it all up again. 

This got me thinking.  Don’t we do this as Christians?!  We are afraid of what others will ask of us or that maybe they will judge us or even worse, God may choose to use us in a way that is far from our comfort zone.  So we close ourselves up and life the comfortable life from deep within the confines of our safe “Christian” world.

I immediately had to go to the Word to find my encouragement.  I believe I was led to several verses. 

First, there is the question of worry.  A lot of us avoid stepping out of our comfort zones simply because we are worried about what we may find.  James reminds us in chapter 4, verse 14 that we do not know what tomorrow brings.  Jesus even says in Matthew 6:34 not to worry about tomorrow.  I don’t know about you but I have consumed a considerable amount of my life with worry.  You may ask yourself how to not worry.  That brings up my second point.

Now there is no question that there is evil in the world but God comforts us with Proverbs 3:5.  He tells us to trust in Him and not to lean on our own understanding.  So it’s ok that I don’t have all the answers.  He’s with me and if I step out in faith, He’s right there with me.  I can trust Him to see me through whatever situation I find myself in.

So what is the big problem with keeping in your comfort zone?  Well, quite honestly that’s not why God put us here.  He has plans.  Good plans.  And I don’t know about you but when I look back and compare my plans with His plans, His plans are always better.  We each have our own work in the Lord, but we all were given the Great Commission in Matthew 28: 19-20.  How can we “go and make disciples of all nations” from the comfort of our carefully crafted life?  The answer:  we can’t.  We’ve got to take risks and possibly get messy.  There is no way to enjoy the wonderful blessings of God without stepping out in faith.

Now, I’m not suggesting you should deliberately put yourself in dangerous situations and hope for blessings. That would be crazy.  I just don’t think that we should shut up the doors of our hearts to keep God all safely contained and hope for blessings. 

How are you opening up your heart and letting God in?