Climate control keeps us in our comfort zone, and I’m turning mine off.
I don’t like to be uncomfortable (who does?), and there’s no wall insulation or temperature regulator in our 1904-built house. I’m the regulator. In winter I’m always adjusting the heater- on off on off. In summer it’s the air conditioner- on off on off. When we go somewhere, I pack suitcases for all weather no matter the destination or time of year. I dress in layers. When we talk to people outside after church, I move in and out of direct sunlight. I constantly regulate my temperature. I even regulate my life. Food, schedules, places, and so on.
My mentality is “I don’t HAVE to be uncomfortable, so I’ll choose NOT to be uncomfortable.”
Imagine my surprise a couple weeks ago when I sensed a growing feeling of discomfort that I couldn’t ignore anymore. My first instinct was to regulate it. “What do I need to adjust to get comfortable again?” Ironically, it turned out to be the discomfort of being IN CONTROL. My climate control mentality was affecting my walk with God. I had been trying to limit how God grows me or uses me to my comfort zone, and the resulting lack of peace was evidence that I idolized comfort over my own God.
A self-centered focus on the present is the right condition for a climate control mentality. An outward-focused eternal perspective makes a comfort zone pretty irrelevant. When I think about what this life is for, it’s for our refinement and to further God’s kingdom. I think the more refined we are, the more effectively we can be used for God’s kingdom. The refinement of silver requires heating it to allow impurities to rise to the surface and be removed until the silversmith can see his reflection perfectly in the melted silver. My refinement requires me to be out of my comfort zone, willing to be in heated circumstances of God’s choosing.
When I realized this, I was flooded with a peace and excitement I hadn’t felt in a long time. Not only am I relieved of the burden of responsibility that comes with being in control, but now I’m back in the exciting adventure of an unlimited God.
Great post Dana!
Comment by Michael Staires — January 22, 2010 @ 2:12 am |
Dana, thanks for sharing this! i guess in some ways we are alike (like in humor) and other ways we are not, such as being uncomfortable. I can’t ever remember a time when I have felt comfortable in ministry, so I envy you to some degree. Interesting as at this exact point in time I am stepping way from my dream of seeing a missional community develop in exchange for some comfort. Some forms of being uncomfortable are meant to draw people out of negative situations…which is where I’m at right now. Blessings to you & Dave as you get ignited by the challenges of living an uncomfortable journey in pursuit of knowing God more
Comment by Dave Ingland — January 27, 2010 @ 6:34 am |
I think you bring up a good point- there are different forms of discomfort and they have different purposes and contexts. The one I experience the most often is of trying to control God’s will, which He doesn’t give me peace about! I actually just experienced the kind of discomfort you’re talking about (used to lead me out of a bad situation), so I can appreciate that.
I don’t think comfort is bad, and I’m glad you are entering a season of comfort, friend. I hope we can all be a blessing to you right now as much are you are to us all the time.
Comment by danatwichell — January 27, 2010 @ 6:47 am |
Transformational
Comment by Mark P Fisher — January 30, 2010 @ 1:22 pm |