Comfort Zone: Stretching Beyond Your LimitsSample

If you’re like me, you procrastinate occasionally. Can I get an AMEN? The “I can do it later” mentality strikes even the most disciplined people. Back in grade school, I could always study sufficiently for a test (the night before), but my worst nightmare was a pop quiz. I remember my palms sweating and my heart racing as my eighth-grade math teacher would say, “Everyone, clear your desks . . .” because I knew what was coming next. If I hadn’t put in a daily effort to prepare, then I was bound to make a bad grade. 

The truth is, we face spiritual pop quizzes every day, and if we “wait till next week” to prepare, there’s a lot more at stake than just a bad grade. Let’s take a look at how Jesus encouraged his disciples to always be prepared for spiritual pop quizzes. 

After Jesus was raised from the dead, he appeared to his disciples over a period of forty days. On one account, while they were dining together, the disciples leaned in and asked a pressing question: “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6). Jesus replied, “It is not for you to know the times or the dates the Father has set by his own authority, but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses...” (Acts 1:7–8a).

Just like the disciples, we’re not supposed to know the times or the dates that we’ll need spiritual preparation. However, by looking at the life of Jesus, we can see several ways he stayed on high alert. On regular occasions, Jesus stole away early in the morning to spend time with the Father. He had a constant and interactive “up” relationship with God. 

Jesus also spent most of his time with a group of friends that he called his disciples. This was his “in” crowd that he ate, drank, slept, and argued with. We call this “community.” And finally, Jesus was always hanging out with nonbelievers, or the “out” crowd. According to Jesus, it’s actually very healthy to spend time with people who don’t believe the same things you do. By walking a balanced, three-dimensional lifestyle of “up, in, and out,” we will be prepared when we encounter almost any situation. 

Paul Taylor Smith
Worship Leader