July 3, 2018

We’ve heard this all of our lives.  The Golden Rule.  Treat others like you want to be treated.

It’s hard in my selfishness to live this out.  Actually, it’s impossible.   My sinful nature wants to circle the wagons and protect myself.  Treating others like I want to be treated means I have to get out of my comfort zone.

Sure, I’d love for others to smile at me.  Be kind to me.  Show grace to me.  I want forgiveness, generosity, mercy, and hospitality.

Showing those qualities to others doesn’t always come naturally to me – especially when I’m sick or tired or overwhelmed.  I want to circle my wagons and hide in the middle of their protection.

God showed me a little word in this verse that made all the difference.  “Do”.  Do is an action word.  A go-forward word.  A get-thee-out-of-thy-comfort-zone word.

In the verses that come before this verse in chapter 7, Jesus is teaching about the importance of asking God for what we need.  He wants us to practice constant asking, seeking, and knocking because He knows what we need and when we need it and He promises to provide when we ask Him.  I know I can’t do this by myself.  I don’t want to be stagnant just because my body is sick.  I want to keep growing and doing during this time of my life.

Lord, I’m asking you to help me get out of my comfort zone.  Though others would say that I deserve to be as comfortable as possible in this pretty uncomfortable time in my life, I know that you can help me reach out to others in the midst of it.  When my body says to stay inside, please push me to go out.  When my brain says just sit in silence in the waiting room, equip me to share joy.  When I can’t do anything else, help me to pray for others as I would want them to pray for me.  I can’t do these things on my own, Lord, but I know you will help me because I am asking, seeking, and knocking.