The Gift of Inconvenience

By: Amanda Becker

Have you ever noticed that as soon as you get situated or comfortable with your child’s routine, it changes again?

My toddler is ever-changing. As soon as we establish a nap schedule, eating habit, or cleanup routine, they’re quickly thrown out the window. He’s just recently decided that bedtime should be pushed back by an hour or so. We’ve been struggling to get him back into his normal routine. It means putting him back in his bed over and over again. He, however, is quite happy with his latest sleep schedule! The more we thought about it, the more we realized he’s his happiest in the evenings! With the longer days we get to send that much more time with him and he sleeps in an extra hour in the morning which means more quiet time for me in the morning.

As I was thinking on these things the other day, I realized that my relationship with the Lord should be much the same. The word says that God is the author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). He is constantly guiding us and showing us how we need to grow (Psalm 32:8).

But if I’m honest, I often become routine in my walk with him. If left up to me, I would stay in this comfortable place. The truth is that I need to be stirred, shaken and thrown off of my game sometimes to avoid complacency.

This shaking and stirring can sometimes can be painful. Trials reveal our weaknesses and beseech us to change. But most of the time we don’t recognize this-- we just want to be delivered from our situation. But there is much-needed growth and blessings behind discovering our shortcomings.

In order for the Lord to bring us to the next place he has for us, in order for us to experience his plan and blessings in our lives, we must keep growing and be shaken from our complacently. When we are flexible with change and vulnerable in front of the Lord, he can truly mold us and shape us into the useful vessel He desires us to be.

Let’s not allow fear of leaving our comfort-zone, where we meet in our small groups each week, yet never really reach out to those who are lost and alone, or fear of pain or inconvenience keep us at a stand-still.

Let’s begin asking the Lord, What in me needs to be stirred so that your plan may be fulfilled in my life?”

And as we become shaken and stirred, let us fix our eyes on Jesus and allow him to produce in us that priceless inward change that perfects us more and more into His likeness.

Word of the Day:
“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2)

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I’m so thankful that I can have an intimate relationship with you, and that you openly reveal your desires for my life. Help me to step out of my comfort zone. Stir my heart for what you would have me to do. Give me grace and courage to overcome my weakness, that I may grow more fully into the disciple you’ve called me to be. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

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