Dancing in the Minefields

Sometimes I just feel like dancing in the minefields.   I feel like taking a risk and finding my hidden courage.  Anyone else?



I've been thinking a lot about comfort zones lately.  I think it was the beginning of the summer that God started dropping a few hints of little ways I could stretch myself.  And although it took me a while to tune my ear to it, I have embraced it the past few weeks and desire to step out of the box a bit.

The hints first began as I watched my daughter in the pool this summer.  In a matter of eight weeks, she went from wearing a floatie in the baby pool to diving off the diving board into the deep end with no floatie, and swimming the entire length of the pool.  She wasn't taking any formal lessons.  She was simply motivated by a desire to swim in the "big girl" pool, and the pride she felt when she accomplished something new and exciting.  Every day that we visited she would try something outside of her comfort zone, and her courage paid dividends.  I watched in awe each time she tried something more and more daring.  It was so inspiring.





I feel like God was giving me this little example to learn from and apply in my own life.  Although I've done it a few times in small ways before, I can't say I've ever done anything that has truly pushed my faith in a way that has transformed me.  But I whole-heartedly believe that when we're feeling led to get out of our comfort zone, it's so that God can do a fresh work in our life and our hearts.  And that right there is such motivation for me.

I think he always gives me an itch for change just before he's about to do a work in me.  I've seen this happen on occasion and he is so faithful.  This willingness to change is only possible because I am keeping my heart open.  It's not that I don't feel scared by the prospects sometimes, but it's that I am motivated by the opportunity to deepen my faith and transform me into something beautiful - the me he designed me to be.

How can I do that if I don't push my boundaries a bit?  If I don't take a risk, explore, learn, and obey?

Right now I am preparing a talk for my M.O.P.S. group next month.  Yes...public speaking!  To a group of seventy insightful, intelligent peers.  Why did I sign up for this?!  My comfort zone is far, far from this place.  As terrifying as public speaking is for me, I know that God is blessing me with an opportunity to grow.  He is giving me a platform to speak through me.  And that is so exciting! 

I think when we push ourselves and walk in line with his will, we find that we are far more capable than we realize.  Because after all, "God doesn't call the equipped, he equips the called."

There are a few other ways I'm feeling pushed outside my comfort zones lately but I will keep those to myself for now and keep praying through them.

I am feeling thankful today that just like I love my children enough to encourage them to grow in courage and character, God does the same for me.


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