On Monday, my sister sent me a devotion written by Pastor Marvin Williams titled “Lord, Disturb Me”. I read through the content taking in every word on the surface but not really allowing much time for introspection.
I pulled the content of that devotion up again today from my email because of a conversation I had last night with a friend. Apparently, I had read enough to allow a key piece to invade my thoughts and cause me to seek out the content again.
I follow the Radical Rabbi named Jesus, but I am too safe, too comfortable, too undisturbed…I hang the Do Not Disturb sign on the door of my life because I don't like my comfort, safety and status quo living being interrupted by the turbulence of big dreams, the deep waters of radical obedience, the rough seas of suffering, and the dark nights of uncertain adventures.
How many of us are too comfortable as Christians? How many of us welcome the turbulence of not resting on our own abilities or welcome the uncomfortable feeling of trusting the potential of God in us? We as Christians claim to trust in God and claim to believe in His ability to equip us to carry out His will, but the minute it becomes too uncomfortable for us, we don’t just retreat…we go into full self-preservation mode—often times trying to completely run away from something we know to be a blessing in our lives. I am convinced that God loves us, but that He also is not concerned with our mediocre/limited definition of comfort. The comfort of our lives should be the relationship we have with God. It should never be our own perceived abilities or limited understanding of our potential. Turbulence, discomfort, and sometimes fear are not enemies to those of us who believe and have a relationship with the Lord. These are tools of faith and opportunities to draw closer to God.
Think about the last time you felt extreme discomfort or were unable to navigate a situation. Did you withdraw or run away from the experience? Or, did you say “Lord, I lean on You…I trust in You…show me the way.” It is high time we ask God to disturb some areas in our lives and then look forward to the growth and wisdom that will surely come on the other side of the discomfort.
Here is an excerpt from the prayer in the same devotion written by Pastor Williams:
Disturb us, Lord, to dare more boldly, to venture on wider seas where storms will show your mastery; where losing sight of land, we shall find the stars. We ask you to push back the horizons of our hopes; and to push us into the future in strength, courage, hope, and love.
The rest of my day will be spent in reflection and prayer over this content. It is my sincerest desire that those reading this blog will also ask themselves...in what areas of my life do I need to ask and welcome God’s disturbance?
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