FROM THE DAWGHOUSE…
Comfortable V Comfort
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ. 6 But if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; or if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which is effective in the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer; 7 and our hope for you is firmly grounded, knowing that as you are sharers of our sufferings, so also you are sharers of our comfort.”
This morning I had a dark-thirty breakfast appointment with a young man training to be a police officer. It was over by 7:00 AM so he could get to training. He’s a former Marine. Well, once a Marine always a Marine. Just ask them. He’s a “yes sir”, “no sir” kind of guy who smiles easily, has a deep voice, and a physique that quickly telegraphs that you better think three times before you tangle with him.
He’s committed to Jesus and is a warrior at heart.
He just found his bride to be, having worked diligently to find the right woman with which to do life.
He motivates the heck out of me.
He’s a young man who is not trying to construct a comfortable life but who understands the comfort we have in Christ. There’s a big difference.
What kind of life are you trying to build, a comfortable life or a life with comfort in Christ? Mmmmm….
Designing a comfortable life has certain characteristics. It often takes the path of least resistance, pursues self-first, resists change and growth, longs for peace and quiet, thinks small, gives in readily, refuses to speak up when it’s needed most. What other traits come to your mind about the comfortable life? I’m not a fan.
Designing a life of comfort in Christ follows the trajectory the Apostle’s set in the Book of Acts. Take a walk through Acts sometime soon, and you’ll see men gripped by the Resurrection of Jesus and the internal comfort and joy only Jesus can bring. These are men who literally never went more than 90 miles from home until they met Jesus, but who afterwards became world travelers and Church planters and world disturbers wherever they went. They thought big, thought less of self, longed for Gospel action and spoke up-often in situations that were quite awkward and confrontational. They were sunburned, pack carrying, ground sleeping, faith depending crusaders and warriors for King Jesus who endured great inconveniences and suffering for the Gospel. I’m definitely a fan.
They motivate the heck out of me.
In my DAWG I stay connected to the biographies of men like that, and they help me continue to become a little bit more of a man like them each day. Step at a time.
So can you!
Jesus loves to build men who’s live seem to under promise, but over deliver.
Men of which the world doesn’t deserve.
Pete Alwinson
