As I consider a new year focus, I know without a doubt God’s Word is front and center. There is no other choice for me as God’s representative. I am a Herald of the King, an ambassador. As God’s chosen instrument to herald the gospel message of Jesus Christ, I must consider how I can best serve Him every day. More and more I see it as a call to step out of my comfort zone and by faith live in obedience to His commands trusting He will carry me! “By faith in Christ Jesus” … this is key! And therefore, there can be no doubt it is His work in me, for His glory!

We really need to relinquish all that we have stored up in our minds of a “comfortable life.”

Unfortunately, we see and desire what so many are advertising. And it is very doubtful that God has called us to that kind of reality. Instead, what God has called us to is to “love others” (Matthew 22:36-39; Luke 6:35-36; Matthew 5:44; John 15:12-13; Romans 12:9-10; 1 John 3:16-18). Interestingly, He does not ever attach “worthiness” as part of a prerequisite to someone being qualified for that love since plainly, He tells us to love even our enemies. Sometimes that might put us in a not so glamourous light. Sometimes that might have us cleaning up messes or washing feet. Sometimes it might be especially uncomfortable. The Bible was written in such a way as to provide examples of men and women to emulate. Many of these lived lives of hardship and unpleasant situations. Two great examples are the Prophet Jeremiah (Old Testament) and the Apostle Paul (New Testament). Talk about living outside your comfort zone!

I am blessed in that I have a front row seat to a modern-day couple who have made their small home a place for children to feel safe and loved. For the past eight years, our oldest daughter and her husband have welcomed foster children into their home. There is so much that goes into being foster parents and for the most part, it is a call to live outside of your comfort zone! I am so humbled when I see the time and energy that goes into the lives of these little ones. I am also blessed to call three of them my very own grandchildren since they have been adopted into the family.

It truly is awe-inspiring to watch those who have committed their lives to pleasing Jesus and not themselves! This year I am seeking new opportunities that force me out of my comfort zone, to the glory of God. Lord willing, I will be sharing these in future posts.

“So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other,” John 13:34, NLT.