If Christians want to change the world, we have to get out in it.
As I sat down to write this post, I prayed that God would meet me at my keyboard. My goal is always to share with my readers the places and faces where I see Him or how He may be working behind the scenes, and encourage others to do the same.
I believe that God is always actively at work and if we look closely, with open hearts, we can see Him.
As I began typing, I was reminded that today was no different from most of my days, average, yet exquisitely blessed.
The day began overcast and cool. I was expecting a dear friend of mine for coffee, but had time to squeeze in some exercise. I came up with a million excuses to do other things, but one of my resolutions this year was to do more cardio, so I thought about just walking on the treadmill. Yet, I could feel God beckoning me to come outside.
We have our best talks outdoors, so I complied. I usually praise and thank Him for sunny skies and warm temps, but today I gave thanks for the clouds which made me appreciate blue skies. The verse, “Give thanks in all circumstances,” kept running through my mind, so I did. I walked a long time before I gave out of my list of things to be thankful for. I could hear birds singing and a hawk calling in the distance.
The gray skies no longer mattered. It was in giving thanks and praise, that I realized that He is just as close to me when it’s cool and overcast as He is when it’s sunny and warm.
As I held that truth close to my heart, I heard some geese honking as they took flight and I marveled at the beauty of Creation, even when it’s mostly asleep. And, then a hawk flew right in front of me, at my eye level, so I couldn’t miss it and I thanked God for giving me enough sense to listen to the nudge to get outdoors.
I so often don’t when the weather isn’t perfect. Nope, if it’s cold or rain is threatening, I stay in the warm comfort of my home. I suspect I’m not alone.
We like the comfortable, don’t we? We like comfort zones. We like to be with people who we are comfortable around. We like the familiar.
But, as Christians, if we are to be world changers like we are called to be, we have to get outside of our walls, whatever those walls may be. We may have to go where the skies aren’t blue and welcoming. We may have to reach out to people who might not welcome us warmly at first.
That call can sometimes be daunting. The road less traveled isn’t for the timid. Luckily, we don’t have to walk it alone. Jesus takes us by the hand and joins us. Sure, it can be uncomfortable and scary at times, but we have to remember that nobody ever got anywhere walking on a treadmill.
Sometimes I need reminding. Perhaps you do too.
Have an awesome day!
Wendy 🙂