Stretching the Comfort Zone

Mittens and Squishy. Yep, Squishy. Our two cats as different as night and day. Mittens is the wild cat; catches everything; crickets, frogs, squirrels, rabbits, turtles and of course, birds. Her daughter, Squishy, is just the opposite; we have raised from a kitten, is domesticated, couldn't survive a day on her own, unless "treats" grew on trees. What's the point of putting yourself into hostile environments just to prove you can survive? Just in case right?

For this very reason, I tend to watch shows like Man vs Wild, Survivorman, Discovery and Animal Planet. Picture a wild goat. He is aware of his surroundings, able to leap and bound over rocky terrain, find food and water sources, and defend himself against hostile animals. By contrast, his domesticated counterpart sleeps in a barn, chews the grass at his feet, drinks water provided for him, and lacks the vigorous survival skills of his wild cousin.

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=james%201:1-4&version=NLT

Sometimes, God allows circumstances to shape us by stretching us physically, Spiritually, mentally, and emotionally. While we may not enjoy the trial, we can be assured God is in control, and that perseverance, trust, faith and hope, and patience are all being perfected. Unless we have gone through trials personally, many times we otherwise may not be qualified to help others in similar circumstances. Even Squishy, catches the occasional crunchy cricket if stuck outside for a few hours.

Following Instructions

These last four years have been to say the least...turbulent. Four moves in four years, cancer scare, home loss, job loss, broken cars, broken hearts, broken dreams. Yet, through it all is an inter-woven peace. I can't imagine not having this kind of peace. The Bible is full of instructions, guidelines and guardrails, to help lead us into the kind of peace of which I'm talking about.

But what is it about the instructions we don't like? Are we smarter than the manufacturer? Does it take too much time; or is it that, deep down we don't like being told what to do? Are you like me; one of those people who never reads the instructions when putting together a child's bike, grill, or piece of furniture from IKEA, etc? Even after four moves, we always seem to have a few leftover pieces.

Not reading the instructions when putting something together will only cost us time and pride. But when it comes to life, not reading the instructions can cost us and the ones we love, or so much more. God gives us His instruction manual through His Word; the information in it is far too valuable to disregard.