Uncomfortable Is A Good Place To Be

“We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren,” 1 John 3:16 NASB

I think we all know that we are called to follow the example of Jesus, to model the behavior that He modeled, but somehow that has translated into something different than it was meant to be. Instead of reading about and meditating upon what Jesus actually did while He walked the earth, we just try to "be good." You know, WWJD?

I guess there's nothing wrong with attempting to be and do good, but is that what Jesus did? The trouble with "good" is there needs to be a rule by which you measure your goodness, and we tend to use our own measurement, not God's. Then we end up doing what we think is best, not what God wants us to do. Such as the things Jesus did while wrapped in flesh, like hanging out with big-time sinners--whores, cheats, stinky people with diseases that made others shun them.

Instead, we give ourselves "good points" for reading the Bible and going to church, having well-trained children, keeping a clean house, donating our old stuff, etc. But when God calls us to do something radical, like reaching out to someone in need, someone who may not fit into your normal "friend group," it feels uncomfortable.

But, uncomfortable is a good place to be because it makes us look at things differently. And that is just what Jesus did. His entire ministry on earth was different than what the religious people were used to. He offended people with His radical love and acceptance, even down to the forgiveness He extended to those that brutalized and crucified Him. And in the midst of His greatest discomfort, He redeemed us.

Oh how He loves us . . . enough to make us uncomfortable for our own good.