In a conversation with a friend at church recently, the focus of it led to some of the challenges faced by those early heroes of the faith, like Paul. In our modern day “Western Christian” thinking, we tend to see them almost like Christian super heroes – albeit without the capes and tights. As we talked, I recalled a comment I read in a biography of the Apostle Paul, written by one of my favorite Biblical scholars who underscored the fact that they were just as real, just as human, and just as susceptible to pain and suffering as we are. In addressing Paul’s initial approach to Corinth, N.T. Wright said this:  

As he [Paul] trudges into town—we normally assume he traveled on foot, and it would have taken perhaps three or four days from Athens—he does not cut a fine figure. It is a matter of weeks, perhaps at most a couple of months, since he was badly beaten in Philippi; but since then he has had to leave three cities in a hurry, he is anxious about the Thessalonians after the riots and the threats against Jason, and he may well be short of funds. Having sent Timothy back to Thessalonica, he is alone. “I came to you in weakness,” he would later write to the Corinthian church, “in great fear and trembling.”

Wright, N. T. Paul: A Biography (pp. 211-212) 

An Intriguing Conclusion ~
Reflecting on the circumstances confronting those early believers and what life was really like for them produced a fresh and sobering awareness of how comfortable our lives are in comparison to theirs. After sharing thoughts along those lines for a few minutes, my friend wrapped up our discussion with a comment something like this, “Wow… Nothing about following Jesus was comfortable for those guys, was it?” 

For some reason, that greatly understated observation lingered in my head after our conversation was over, and it was a sobering exercise. Considering the contrast between what it meant for them to follow Jesus and what it means for most of us generated a couple of distinctive reactions. The first was a blend of appreciation and admiration for what they were willing to sacrifice to openly live out their faith. But thinking about the role comfort plays in our culture in comparison to theirs led to a disturbing sense of conviction.

A Pervasive Influence ~
In our culture, the desire, and sometimes demand, for certain levels of comfort can exert considerable influence over choices we make. For instance, comfort, or the lack of it, can affect where we choose to go for things like dining, entertainment, or recreation. It can be the determining factor in deciding which style of furniture we choose, what kind of clothes we wear, which vehicles we buy, and even what region of the country we prefer to live in. Beyond that, comfort can also be a significant factor in deciding which church we attend. And given its potential to influence our behavior and affect our choices, one might reasonably ask whether some of the comforts we’re seeking are benefits to be embraced, or obstacles to be avoided.

For more decades than I care to recount, motivational cheerleaders of one kind or another have been telling people like me that if we ever hope to accomplish anything, we first have to get out of our “comfort zone.” According to them, the price for achieving any kind of real success would have to be measured in terms of years of self-denial and misery. It demanded things like fighting our way through corporate jungles, wading through the vermin infested swamps of academic certification, scaling the cliffs of entrepreneurial risk and uncertainty, and avoiding the seductive but treacherous predators roaming the digital wastelands. But they assured us that if we would, indeed, abandon our debilitating comfort zones and endure our self-inflicted misery long enough, the day would eventually arrive when we could finally lean back in our plush recliners and enjoy the comfort we would have earned. But is that the kind of strategy that Jesus had in mind? 

Another Possibility ~
What if I suggested that Jesus’ approach to “comfort zones” was not to call us out of one, but to exchange the one the world is offering for one that is radically different? In the first place, the definition of the term itself is different. Jesus knew that the most prevalent sources of distress His followers would face would have nothing to do with a lack of soft clothing, plush furniture, or pleasant surroundings. The most disquieting, anxiety-producing, sleep-depriving, fear-inducing things awaiting them couldn’t be alleviated with a fluffier bed or better fitting sandals. The discomforts that would assail them would be internal and spiritual, not physical. That meant that the rejuvenating peace and security they would desperately need must come some other way.  

Thankfully, the One with both the divine authority and power to do something about the kind of distress His followers would be facing also knew what it was like to be human. So, Jesus proceeded to provide a permanent “comfort zone” for them that could never be taken away. Before He left, He made this incredible promise:

Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper [Grk. paráklētos, i.e., Comforter] will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. (John 16:6–7 NKJV)

A Glimpse into God’s Heart ~
The Greek word translated comfort or Comforter is defined as one called on to aid, help, comfort, or encourage. In light of that understanding of the term, Jesus’ promise to send a Comforter seems appropriate when we consider what Paul revealed about the nature and character of the God we serve:

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation [comfort] also abounds through Christ. (2 Corinthians 1:3–5 NKJV)

Five times in that one passage, God is pictured as a living source of comfort for His people. Paul indicates that God will provide comfort for His people directly through His indwelling Spirit and by means of one another sharing the ways they themselves had been comforted. Jesus surrounded His followers with a comfort zone that would follow them throughout their lives. The comfort He offered would be available regardless of where He sent them, irrespective of their current surroundings. 

Contrasting Options ~
The world entices us toward one kind of comfort zone and Jesus calls us to another. The world’s version makes us feel good while it takes us captive and makes us weaker. Recliners might feel nice, but our “Lazy Boy” can’t make us stronger. A plush mattress can’t instill courage that overcomes fear and doubt. Climate controlled surroundings can’t tell us what to do when we’re plagued with confusion, and designer sneakers can’t help us when we don’t know which way to turn. On the other hand, the comfort zone Jesus calls us to challenges everything about us, but at the same time sets us free and takes us to heights we could not achieve otherwise. 

The truth is that those early followers of Jesus did have a life filled with comfort, but it wasn’t the kind of comfort we’ve made such a priority in our world today. The comforts they desperately needed, and that God provided abundantly, were much more powerful than mere physical provisions. He gave them… 

• • Steadfast, unwavering faith and confidence in God
  • The energizing and motivational power of defiant joy
  • The rejuvenating effects of invincible hope 
  • The protective and healing capacity of forgiveness and unconditional love 
  • The persevering strength of unassailable unity with God and His Family. 

The culture we’ve allowed to develop has produced an endless array of physical comforts, yet, look around, we’re surrounded with violence and moral chaos. The comfort zone Jesus created turns ordinary people into world changers – and it’s time to show the world that we can do that again. Isn’t that, after all, what He did and called us to do through Him?

“TWEETABLES” ~ Click to tweet and share from the quotes below.  Each one links directly back to this article through Twitter . . .

• • • Disquieting, anxiety-producing, fear-inducing things awaiting Jesus’ followers couldn’t be alleviated with better fitting sandals. Discomforts assailing them would be internal and spiritual. Desperately needed rejuvenating peace and security must come another way. @GallaghersPen (Click here to Tweet)  
    • Jesus surrounded His followers with a comfort zone that would follow them throughout their lives. The comfort He offered would be available regardless of where He sent them, irrespective of their current surroundings. @GallaghersPen (Click here to Tweet)
    • The world entices us toward one kind of comfort zone and Jesus calls us to another. The world’s version makes us feel good while it takes us captive and makes us weaker. Designer sneakers can’t help us when we don’t know which way to turn. @GallaghersPen (Click here to Tweet) 
    • Jesus’ early followers did have a life filled with comfort, but ‘not’ the kind we’ve prioritized in our world today. The comforts they desperately needed and that God abundantly provided were much more powerful than mere physical provisions. @GallaghersPen (Click here to Tweet)

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