We Cannot Cling to Our Cross and Our Comfort at the Same Time…..

When I was in the 7th grade I did a school wide debate on the topic of abortion. Ofcourse, I had several who opposed me with conflicting views and beliefs. Some of those conversations were civil and were met with respect…while others oppositions were filled with hate. I’ll never forget how uncomfortable it was. Now…looking back, I truly believe it was then, that marked a boldness and fire that follows me today.

But as we get older, over the years, there are topics that we are conditioned to steer away from. Topics that make people uncomfortable. But here is the thing…as Christians…we were never meant to stay comfortable. And the truth is, conviction on its own,causes comfort to flee in the name of Jesus. We live in a world with too many grey areas. The temperature of the waters we tread, too cautiously, isn’t hot and it isn’t cold. It’s simply lukewarm. We all know what Christ himself said about being lukewarm…”So because you are lukewarm-neither hot nor cold-I am about to spit you out of my mouth.” -Revelations 4:6

Comfort cannot hold hands with conviction. Each of them contradict one another. In order to embrace convictions…we must get up off of the couch of comfort. We have to do the things that may not come easiest. Like walking boldly in our faith…without fear or worry of condemnation. We were not placed on this earth to stay comfortable.

We were placed here for purpose.

Purpose to build the kingdom.

To spread the good news.

The Great Commission.

We were never built to blend in with the rest of the world. We were meant to be a light in this dark world. A city on a hill. Salt and light. And light has a way of revealing things that darkness keeps hidden away. You see, darkness thrives in spaces where sin is called comfort and sin is normalized. Sin is desensitized to our hearts. Darkness lives in all the grey areas that we choose to avoid…in fear of offending someone. It thrives in the lukewarm waters that we refuse to stir or heat up.

Tragically, a bright light for the Kingdom was extinguished yesterday. But Satan overplayed his hand. Because, in turn, this tragedy and great loss of a true Patriot, lit a fire in so many souls across this great nation.

It’s been said that light, in its very nature, makes darkness uncomfortable. But, when light shines in the darkness…the darkness cannot overcome it. It’s human for people to crave comfort. It’s cozy. It’s familiar. It doesn’t stress you and it doesn’t surprise you.

When someone bold enough comes along…carrying a torch with them…it makes Hell nervous. That light is going to stir up convictions and compromise comfort. But we must shine brightly anyways. It’s time we light our torches and pray for the holy spirit to empower us and lead us like never before. May we hold our torches high and let us not bow down or tremble to any fear that comes from the shadows. May our voices rise up. Greater is he that lives in us…than he who is in the world. Take heart in knowing there is a battle at hand and it’s time we pick up our swords and put on the full armor of God.

…In this battle we cannot cling to our comfort and cling to the cross at the same time.