Help write my new book and provide me feedback on this article. Please comment at the end after reading this article! – Kent
You’ve probably heard the joke about Christians and change: “How many Christians does it take to change a light bulb?” “Who said anything about change?”
When Saul was converted on the Damascus Road, he went from persecutor to Christian and then, from Christian to missionary, in a very short time. That’s a lot of change!
After Saul was baptized, he immediately started preaching in the local meeting places. He proclaimed that Jesus was the Son of God. The followers of Jesus were challenged: “Isn’t this the guy who tore up Jerusalem among the believers?” (Acts 9:10-21). Yeah, Christians have always struggled with change. It’s a human trait you don’t lose when you become a Christian. Mark Twain said, “The only person who likes change is a baby with a wet diaper.”
That’s interesting, because a baby with a wet diaper is uncomfortable. Yet I hear a lot of churches say, when appropriate change occurs, “I’m not comfortable with that.” Some Christians are uncomfortable with new songs in worship. Some are uncomfortable with the preaching style of the new minister. Some are uncomfortable with the messages in church about money. Some are even uncomfortable about the color of the new carpet. Really?
This is the comfort myth. People think, because God is love, God wants them to be comfortable. That is nowhere in Scripture, especially when it comes to being in the mission to make disciples. Anyone who knows anything about Good Friday should know God is more concerned about His mission than the comfort of His only Son, who went through the horrendous suffering on the cross.
Should we be more uncomfortable? Perhaps! Many will say that they grew the most through uncomfortable circumstances. Missionaries are always uncomfortable. So, let’s get uncomfortable!
Help write my new book and provide me feedback on this article. Please comment below using the form immediately below for private submission and the comment section further below for comments that others may see! – Kent
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