Got Comfort?

   Recently I read the book called "Not a Fan." I began reading it on my way to see family this summer. The flight felt like it lasted five minutes (I love books like that). I kept turning the pages (well, clicking the next page button on my Kindle) agreeing with so much of what the author had written. I hoped the flight would last long enough so I could read the whole book. It did not. I finished the book in a few days and found myself trying to articulate the message of the book to others. It was clear to me. I was too comfortable. In a weird way it was comforting to know I needed to be more uncomfortable. This idea is counter-culture, right? Watch television or listen to your radio. Drive this car, buy this phone, wear these clothes. Be comfortable. Scary, is it not?

   As a man of faith I believe I am NOT called to a life of comfort. My existence should revolve around what I do for others. Is that hard for us to understand? Yes, it is. Why is that? Well, we are all selfish people trying to live selfless lives. Talk about tension. If we look at the life Jesus Christ lived while on this earth we gain a great perspective. He was born in a nasty, smelly manger and died a gruesome death on a cross. I think that was the epitome of being uncomfortable don't you? Yes, I know He was the Son of God and He had His purpose. He and the apostles were often uncomfortable in day to day life. Should we expect the same discomfort? Yes, without a doubt. He even told us so. A lot of teaching out there talks about selfless living. Some of you reading this may have different views on faith. No matter who or what we believe we have no excuse. Selfless is number one. Oh, the irony!

   Let me give you some real-life personal examples of being uncomfortable. In June 2010 my family and I moved to North Carolina. My wife Deb and I were clear about the direction. I had a job to come to and she was going back to school to complete her undergraduate degree. The plan was perfect--so we thought. Not too long into it I felt like former New York Met Carlos Beltran looking at strike three with the bases loaded in the bottom of the tenth of Game 7 of the 2006 NLCS (yes, still bitter Carlos). A different pitch was delivered. I needed to adjust but I froze. I could empathize with the former Met. What do we do now? A main focus of us coming here shifted, or at least that is what we thought. It was time to go to work on ourselves. Seriously? That sounds like fun, right? Yeah, not so much! It was the real plan all along and it was uncomfortable. It still is to some degree. Welcome to your life!

   Looking at your life and seeing the things that you need to change is never easy. It sucks really. You start with denial and then you justify certain behavior. I wonder why we bother wasting all of that time and energy. I mean, why do we fight it? I did. I went into self-preservation. Why? It is easy. I did not want to be uncomfortable because deep down inside a nerve had been struck. And then another and another. It hurts too. Trust me on that one. Uncomfortable? I think so. You are on the operating table of life and the Great Surgeon is perfecting His masterpiece. It is a process of transformation. You are being made into who He wants you to be. You are His work of art. The molding and shaping seemed more intense. It was about to be taken up a notch.

   Summer was underway and Deb and the kids had taken off for summer vacation. I was to join them in a few weeks. Then the walls closed in fast. The uncomfortable feeling became more intense. On July 15, 2011 I was let go by my employer. The solace of a weekly paycheck and knowing my family would be provided for was gone. How is that for being uncomfortable? Many of you have gone through this. Unemployment is at an all-time high. I can empathize. I woke up on July 16 and the comfort I was used to feeling vanished like a New York pizza after one of my visits to Long Island. What do we do now? Throw in the towel? Put our house up for sale? Not a chance. Trials are a gift. I think that part of faith gets skimmed over. As hard as it was (and still is) I would not trade the uncomfortable experience for anything. Greatness is found in the midst of the hard. You have two choices. What are you going to do? Quit or persevere? You know the answer I bet.


   So, what do we do now? Do we wake up tomorrow and throw all of our worldly possessions away? Do we give all of our comfy time to worthy causes? Do we quit our jobs or move to another state? Maybe, maybe not. I don't know. That is not for me to say. Perhaps you start by asking yourself some questions about how comfortable you have it. Maybe you reorganize your priorities. What are you living for? Sacrifice some of your comfort for the sake of others. Make dinner for your neighbor whose husband or wife serves in the military. Get involved in your community. Be a coach or a mentor. Teach a group of kids a skill. Volunteer somewhere, anywhere. Make a difference! Be a good dad or mom to your kids. Love your wife or husband more. Spend time with them. They are worth it. Turn off the cell phone, laptop, iPod and television (I am just about to). Being uncomfortable is okay. We need it! You will survive. Trade your comforts in and get a better deal. Remember, it's about the dash!