My Comfort Zone

            My husband and I visited a church community who deliberately sets about encouraging and admonishing each other in Christian love to keep the community accountable and strong.  I have wondered if I could be comfortable in a situation where someone would feel at ease being frank enough with me to tell me they think I am not following the word of God the way they interpreted the scriptures.  As I watched the interactions between these wonderful people, there was a genuine kindness and respect that clearly went beyond any admonitions anyone could give each other.

            A dear friend shared a story from his college years where he was challenged by his peers to deepen his relationship with God.  They encouraged Bible study, scripture memory, and time management as well as other challenges.  He said he felt uncomfortable at first, partly because he felt at that time, how he spent his time was his business and following the Lord seemed to take a lot of work!  Yet, it was in this environment his need and desire for God deepened, changing him into the strong dynamic, godly man he has become.

            People influence us every day.  The people we choose to call our friends are those with whom we most immediately identify.  Usually we have similar likes and dislikes, beliefs, views, and ideas.  Very often we fit in similar financial brackets and faith beliefs.  We depend on each other for support and strength.   When we choose to go against everything we believe, our world often falls apart, including relationships that were once strong and secure.  

            In a world where godly leadership has fallen by the wayside, we see values, morals and the difference between right and wrong greatly skewed. We are encouraged to be tolerant of ideas different than our own.  But it goes well beyond that.  As Christians we are expected to accept those behaviors that are clearly Biblically wrong, otherwise we are being bigoted, racist, or an extremist!  It takes a good deal of courage to go against what is considered politically correct and do the right thing.  
 

          When we partner with others to live a godly life and dedicate our time and energies to knowing God’s word, we can be confident in our faith and join other believers standing strong for what we know is right.  Like a colorful quilt which is carefully stitched together creating a work of art, yet strong and filled with warmth, it is important to be involved in a strong, warm, loving community that builds each other up yet reminds each other when wrong turns are taken.  

         Admonition, or warnings needn’t be hurtful or spiteful, but given with a gentle heart filled with genuine caring about the other person.  No one is right all the time, but like a family who is often honest to a fault, yet loves each other, our friends should be people we respect and want to emulate.  Further they should able to be honest with us, pushing us forward toward Christ, even if it makes us a bit uncomfortable.



          

But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.  Hebrews 3:13