Read with me, “For our momentary, light distress [this passing trouble] is producing for us an eternal weight of glory [a fullness] beyond all measure [surpassing all comparisons, a transcendent splendor and an endless blessedness]! So we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are unseen; for the things which are visible are temporal [just brief and fleeting], but the things which are invisible are everlasting and imperishable.“ 2 Corinthians 4:17-18
I have often witnessed that comfort is the default setting I prefer in my life, to my own detriment. Because comfort is relative and subjective to my circumstances, more often than not, when I don’t deal with what is in front of me, I will do the easy thing and run, seeking out the most efficient method to return to a state of comfort.
Many of us possess an intrinsic desire to remain unchallenged. Being settled calms us. Circumstantial security leads us to experience momentary reprieve. But that is all comfort affords us, a short burst of quiet. A rest that is usually short lived, the fallacy exposed at the turn of imminent trouble.
It is the fear of being uncomfortable that we need to face and deal with in order to grow and advance. We have to ask ourselves this daily, “what was I made for, and what am I running from that was meant for me?” What were you called to? Realizing that you were called to life and love, you can embrace the journey of growing in Him. You are essentially called to do life with Him. The process of unlearning bad habits, outgrowing limiting perspectives, embracing challenging ideas, doing hard things, and learning to wait are all what we are called to. It does not matter most the office you stand in, the gifts you have been equipped with, the field you were assigned in the Kingdom, but what determines whether you reach your destination is whether you lean into the process of getting there. Do not get stuck on the way, being diverted by doubts. He is a good Shepherd who knows the way. He places emphasis on the fight, the walk, the journey, and the road. The process, the way we live, the journey is significant, because it testifies to the posture our hearts have taken in front of Him who leads.
You were called to this life, this journey, and this freedom. Lean into the process, when it is difficult remind yourself at the other end of this push is growth. Remind your heart to trust and your eyes to stay focused. Remember who He is. Call to mind the call on your life, and go after it with everything inside of you, for you are never alone. In the process, get to know Him more. His heart is good, His intentions towards you are benevolent and sincere. Lean into the life He gave you. Some days it will be a fight. But take those thoughts captive, submit to Him and see how your mind is saved from self-sabotaging thoughts. He is worthy of your trust. Run the race, don’t run away.
