"Un"Comfort Zone

God Comforts us - then calls us to do the uncomfortable!

Check off the bucket lists. Dream uncomfortable dreams. 

Because life is short! In fact, it's a vapor!

Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit," Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. For you are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. Instead, you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that." But as it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil. So for one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, for him it is sin. - James 4:13-17 (NASB)

More on Purposeful Living & Eternal Perspective

We all have bucket lists. You know, things we hope to do in life before we "kick the bucket!"

If I have learned anything in 2020 and 2021, it is that we can make ALL the plans and set our own course and attempt to check off bucket list items, but God...

We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps. Proverbs 16:9 (NLT) 

Sometimes He humbles us. Sometimes He doesn't send us because we may not be ready or it simply is not His plan for us. Sometimes He is protecting us. Our job is to trust Him (Proverbs 3:5-6), give thanks in ALL circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18), and learn to be content in whatever situation we find ourselves Philippians 4:11-13). 

What's on your bucket list? 

Taking care of the physical

As I get older, I realize that my window for accomplishing certain items on my list is getting smaller.

I did not become a runner girl until my forties and I am physically in better shape now than when I was in my twenties. I ran my first 5K in 2013, my first 10K in 2018, and completed my first women's triathlon on my birthday in 2019. I completed my first half marathon in December 2019.

I've never been an athlete, never played any sports in school, or was ever a part of a sports team. But now that I'm older and wiser I actually enjoy trying new ways to exercise and making it a priority to be healthy and fit, as opposed to striving to be skinny.

I've stopped worrying so much about the scale and instead am working on checking off those bucket list items related to fitness. Continually training for the next goal is fun! Sometimes the next thing can be a little scary, but I plan on taking care of my body and aging like a fine wine.

Below are some pics of my first triathlon. I trained with a group of ladies through our local Fleet Feet. It was an awesome experience!

Whatever your health goals may be, keep taking the steps to make them happen! You are worth it. But remember what is most important. 

It's so easy to become obsessed with the physical training, but as a Jesus follower we must always put the spiritual training ahead of our flesh. Anyone else excited to one day experience a "glorified body?" (Philippians 3:20-21)

Taking care of the spiritual

For while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. 1 Timothy 4:8 (ESV)

For years, when I worked a full-time cubicle job (often with expected overtime), my dream was to be able to stay home with my kids. I will always be so thankful to God for providing a plan to make that happen. Many times over the years I have had to remind myself in the middle of the never-ending laundry, the pile of dishes in the sink, or the either sticky-hot, or cold, depressing, rainy afternoon car rider line that I am in fact, livin' my dream!

Sometimes our purpose isn't glamorous. All of us are not called to "hustle" and define our success by the world's standards. I have fallen into that trap more than once. 

Neither are all of us purposed to have a big platform in ministry. In fact, Jesus is our most humble example of how to live with kingdom purpose in mind. (Philippians 2:5-11) He took time to help people - He fed them, He healed them, He prayed for them and loved them well. He took time for authentic relationships. He took time to teach and explain God's Word - after all, He was the Word that became flesh.

It is so important to prioritize time with our Heavenly Father, both by reading His Word daily and spending time in prayer. Much too often, I do one or the other, but both are necessary. Recently, I either read somewhere or it dawned on me that if Jesus spent time in a quiet place in prayer each morning, alone with His Father, preparing for day, while He was living here on earth, how much more do we need to do so?

We are all called to do this one thing. Where we go from there and how He chooses to use each of us for His purpose and His glory is up to Him. Sometimes He calls us to do uncomfortable things or even things that seem really scary. But if we have met with Him and sincerely believe it is His Will, He WILL give us the strength and the resources to do it! So allow yourself to dream if it aligns with His Word and His plan.

There are some amazing resources out there to help stay in the Word each day as well as some of my favorite books, podcasts, etc. 

Stay tuned for a Resources or conduit page coming soon! 

In addition to caring for my family, I also love being a student and teacher of His Word. It brings me great joy to write something that encourages others and I'm always honored to share how God has answered many prayers and worked ALL things for good in my own life. (Romans 8:28) 

I now work part-time at my son's school and the hours are allowing me the best of both worlds. It brings me joy to serve in that capacity and yet I still get to be at all of his baseball games and be at home when he is home. God is so good!

The God of All Comfort comforted (and still comforts) me in my troubles and it is my privilege if He allows me to comfort others with the same comfort I received from Him. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)

Reach out if I can pray for you or help in any way. christy@christylong.org