(v.) to promote growth by labor and attention

I want to be uncomfortable this year.

I’m a missionary, so that should be a given, right?  Not necessarily.

Sure, there are plenty of minor daily discomforts that accompany living and doing ministry overseas.  Just as there are minor daily discomforts in starting a new job, entering a new relationship, moving to a new city, starting a new business, etc.  Whatever the “leap of faith” taken, I’m realizing it can be far too easy to focus on adjusting to the mundane, daily discomforts rather than looking for God to lead us into even more uncomfortable places where He is actively stirring up trouble and desiring to move both in and through us.

God is faithful to bless those small or large steps into difficult, uncomfortable places when obedience to His call and His commands are the driving forces behind the decision.  I can give countless examples of His blessings over the last year as I left comfort and security in career and community to follow His call to “go”.  A phenomenal community of support, financial provision, an inexplicable peace about my purpose, adventures of faith and new experiences of God, and many other blessings accompanied the seemingly risky decision to take the leap into the missions field.  Looking back, I realize it would have been far riskier to hang on to what I had than to surrender it for what God had in store.

I’ve received far more than I ever gave up.

But that was 2010.  Though I can recall and celebrate God’s faithfulness through last year, I don’t want to fall into the trap of settling for yesterday’s leaps of faith or yesterday’s blessings, and turning my attention back to being “comfortable” in my new circumstances.

I want to put into practice what I learned:  that God desires us to actively put ourselves in situations that require Him to work.  To intentionally seek out that which is difficult and uncomfortable.

So… this is my renewed prayer for 2011.  That God would lead us daily into uncomfortable places where we are desperately dependent on Him and singly focused on understanding and reflecting more of His character in this world.   So that in January of 2012, we can look back and celebrate some more.

I hope you don’t mind that I’m taking the liberty of praying it for you and I both.  🙂

A Franciscan Benediction

May God bless you with discomfort
At easy answers, half-truths and superficial relationships
So that you may live deep within your heart

May God bless you with anger
At injustice, oppression and exploitation of people
So that you may work for justice, freedom and peace

May God bless you with tears
To shed for those who suffer pain, rejection, hunger and war
So that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and
To turn their pain into joy

May God bless you with foolishness
To believe that you can make a difference in the world
So that you can do what others claim cannot be done
To bring justice and kindness to all our children and the poor