Wednesday, September 1, 2021
“He comforts us in
all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will
be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.” (2 Corinthians 1:4, New Living Translation)
No matter the time of day, what has been going on during the day or what
mood I am in, my big, blue, comfy recliner chair offers me a safe place. Here is my comfort zone – that cozy place where I
might settle in, freer from my anxieties and worries, feeling safer, less
vulnerable, protected, less exposed to the world and its issues and more calm.
This chair is a hand-me-over from friends and all the better because of it.
It fits me to a tee. There is nothing
better than to flop down in this inviting chair, take a deep breath and let the
world go by.
We all need to have our comfort zones. Comfort is a necessity for
healthy living. Comfort comes in many shapes and sizes. Many of us have comfort
foods that help ease moods, tensions, anxiety, sadness and the like. Some folk
have their favourite comfy clothing: sloppy, well-worn, familiar but cozy and reassuring
like an old sweater, a hoodie, a pair of slippers, or track pants. Some have familiar
haunts full of memories of happy times like a cottage, a park, a favourite
restaurant. Sometimes just the memories alone offer comfort zones.
Comfort zones are those times, places and things that offer reassurance,
ease of mind and spirit, a safe haven, a dependable reliability that we can count on it to give us
a measure of grace and peace.
Comfort zones have taken a big hit during the pandemic. The virus has
radically redefined, challenged, changed and yet clarified in new ways our need
for comfort zones. Many have bunkered down in whatever levels of comfort and
safety they could muster. Others have struggled with the uncertainty of these
times. Others have cocooned themselves and
wrapped themselves in bubbles.
We need our comfort zones. We need those moments in which we feel safe,
protected, reassured, calm, more confident, more hopeful and more peaceful.
Now, my big, blue, comfy recliner chair cannot deliver those qualities
by itself. Comfort zones are more a state of mind and spirit. Objectively speaking, my
chair is just an inert, material, passive piece of furniture, incapable of any
relationship with me other than being a place to sit.
But God is not inert, not impassive, not detached, not a piece of spiritual
furniture. “Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be
afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and
comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4, NLT)
When we are the most uncomfortable, God wraps us in his ever-loving arms
and holds us closely to his heart. “Your promise revives me; it comforts me
in all my troubles.” (Psalm 119: 50, NLT)
When we find ourselves lost, confused, broken, deeply stressed, God reaches
out to us and gathers us in. “God blesses those who mourn, for they will be
comforted.” (Matthew 5:4, NLT)
Yes, there are times when God needs to send us out into the messy world
with his Love and Grace, take action, be comforters to others ourselves, be pro-active
and shape and carry the Good News. But God also knows our need to rest in his
comfort zones, to regroup, to renew our strength, to reenergize,
to draw in his Holy Spirit, to revive
and feel safe, secure, loved, embraced and known.
He’s Creator of all you can see or imagine.
He doesn’t get tired out, doesn’t pause to catch his breath.
And he knows everything, inside and out.
He energizes those who get tired,
gives fresh strength to dropouts.
For even young people tire and drop out,
young folk in their prime stumble and fall.
But those who wait upon God get fresh strength.
They spread their wings and soar like eagles,
They run and don’t get tired,
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