It can be very hard to find churches and places in the world that resemble what worship should feel and look like. In fact, there are many places where true Christianity is obsolete, even within a “church.” Ever since the “Bible times,” worship and church has started to look very different. People have gone to their own comfort when going to church, and then staying in that comfort. In reality, worshipping is not always something comfortable. It may be convicting, and it may take the place of something else in your day, but that’s what “seeking the Kingdom first” means in Matthew 6. Why is it important to find a church to worship with that gives you a community to strengthen each other in true faith, reading the true Word, and spreading the Gospel as we care called to do?
“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son purifies us from all sin.” – 1 John 1:7
“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” – James 5:16
“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” – Matthew 18:20
“I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong—that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.” – Romans 1:11-12
Many times, I’ve run into the issue of being uncomfortable about starting a Bible study and talking about my faith, especially when living on a boat with no church. But, I’ve realized that that is exactly what we are called to do; to go to the places that might not look typical, comfortable, or even safe to spread the Word of God. Ricardo, my wonderful boyfriend, helped me understand this last night, and this is something that I’ve been praying about for a long time. I’ve been nervous to start a bible study here on the boat, but I’m going to. I’ve learned over my year and month of being a Christian that there shouldn’t be a comfort-zone while being a Christian. This is an imperfect world that will challenge you, but that’s how your faith gets better! We aren’t called to sit back and wait, or sit and relax. This isn’t our place of rest. This is our place of work, serving, and glorifying the One who created everything, even though there are times that that might be uncomfy.
Mark 16:15 is my favorite verse and says, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” Wherever you are, that’s part of “all the world!” I am in the ocean, you might be in an apartment complex, or even in your own home. Wherever you are, I encourage you to be uncomfortable and take the next steps. Look for a church, a community, that will strengthen you in the Word of God. Look for friends and people that will push you in your faith. As Christians, we were never called to sit in a pew or chair and leave after church is over. We were called to be the church, to be responsible, to be encouraging, to be uncomfortable.
I’ve listed a few verses if you want to look up about stepping away from your comfort zone. Anyone who isn’t a Christian yet reading this and if you haven’t accepted Christ in your life, I encourage you to read these and to see such a love that you can’t comprehend.
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:9
“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.” – John 15:16
“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing?” – Matthew 6:25-33
Being uncomfortable may seem bad to this world, but we are not staying on this world for eternity. The world has started to worship as it pleases, but that doesn’t always line up with the faith we should be striving for. There is a much larger gift, and greater treasure for all of eternity if we strive for a relationship with Christ, and Christ alone. If you want to know more about getting a relationship with Christ, or have any questions, please let me know and stay tuned for the next devotional!
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