Growth & Comfort Can Never Coexist
Whatever It Takes (Day 4) #Prayer365
The people we follow hold the position as an influencer in our lives. They influence our thinking, actions and decisions. Whether or not we realize it, we gradually conform or adjust to their ways, views or thoughts. Depending on the number of people you follow will determine how many people contribute your daily living. For this reason, we must choose our influencers and influences wisely.
In pursuit of a deep personal relationship with Jesus, He desires to be the key influence in our lives. When Jesus says to follow Him, it means to believe Him, but it also means to conform to Christ’s example in living. The word conform is defined by Merriam-Webster as to change (adjust) something so as to make it suitable for a new user or situation. Following Christ requires adjustments. Knowing Christ calls for change. I know what you’re thinking... “Change is uncomfortable, it doesn’t feel good.” This is true. My response is a quote by Craig Groeschel, “Growth and comfort can never coexist.” You can have one our the other but you cannot have both.
Imagine a plant in a pot. The gardener has decided to repot it because our had outgrown its current home. The plant cries out saying, “I don’t want to move! I like this pot! It feels comfortable!” The gardener is not moved by the plant’s cries because He knows that beneath the plant, its roots have grown and have become tangled. The plant runs risk of dying if it isn’t repotted. While the plant found comfort in the small pot, it couldn’t see that the thing that brought it comfort was the thing that would kill it. We are a lot like this plant. The small pot is much like the limited mindset that we’re comfortable with. God desires that we grow, but we don’t want to risk our comfort. Not realizing that our comfort is severely suffocating our relationship with Jesus and separating us from the source of life.
Jesus wants to be your ultimate influence. As you follow Him, embrace change. Make the uncomfortable but necessary adjustments to deepen your knowledge of Him. Study the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) to learn how He lived and how He lives. Get out of the pot of comfort and embrace growth! #WhatEverItTakes
Read: Luke 9:23 AMP & 2 Cor 5:17
I'm praying for you and with you,
Pastor Enrique Brooks
Did you miss this morning's prayer? Catch the replay here!
In pursuit of a deep personal relationship with Jesus, He desires to be the key influence in our lives. When Jesus says to follow Him, it means to believe Him, but it also means to conform to Christ’s example in living. The word conform is defined by Merriam-Webster as to change (adjust) something so as to make it suitable for a new user or situation. Following Christ requires adjustments. Knowing Christ calls for change. I know what you’re thinking... “Change is uncomfortable, it doesn’t feel good.” This is true. My response is a quote by Craig Groeschel, “Growth and comfort can never coexist.” You can have one our the other but you cannot have both.
Imagine a plant in a pot. The gardener has decided to repot it because our had outgrown its current home. The plant cries out saying, “I don’t want to move! I like this pot! It feels comfortable!” The gardener is not moved by the plant’s cries because He knows that beneath the plant, its roots have grown and have become tangled. The plant runs risk of dying if it isn’t repotted. While the plant found comfort in the small pot, it couldn’t see that the thing that brought it comfort was the thing that would kill it. We are a lot like this plant. The small pot is much like the limited mindset that we’re comfortable with. God desires that we grow, but we don’t want to risk our comfort. Not realizing that our comfort is severely suffocating our relationship with Jesus and separating us from the source of life.
Jesus wants to be your ultimate influence. As you follow Him, embrace change. Make the uncomfortable but necessary adjustments to deepen your knowledge of Him. Study the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) to learn how He lived and how He lives. Get out of the pot of comfort and embrace growth! #WhatEverItTakes
Read: Luke 9:23 AMP & 2 Cor 5:17
I'm praying for you and with you,
Pastor Enrique Brooks
Did you miss this morning's prayer? Catch the replay here!
Watch this week's message:
Did you know that Thryve Church prays together 365 days a year? Join us Monday-Friday at 6:30am & Saturday for Prayer at the Altar by dialing 339-207-7471 and then join us Sundays at 11am for Worship Service!