OUTSIDE THE COMFORT ZONE

I’ve done it again! I have volunteered to do something that is completely out of character for me. I remember filling out a survey in September where we were asked to commit to the work of the church, and we were encouraged to sign up for something that is outside of our comfort zone. And that is exactly what I did – I agreed to make a contribution to this year’s Lenten devotional booklet.

Unlike many people in our congregation, I am not a writer. Words do not flow easily, either verbally or written. I do know how to write a sentence, but the thought of having that sentence read by many others is not at all appealing to me. What do I have to say that somebody else would find worthwhile to read? Hmmmm.....

Aha! Perhaps this is it! In keeping with my commitment to write this devotion, in many respects this past year was one where I did things that were “outside my comfort zone.” And each time I stepped out, it turned out to be a growth experience.

In the past I have viewed my contribution to church life as one of quietly attending services and pledging monetary support. I thought of this support as facilitating the good works of others. And yes, occasionally I would step up for something a little bit more, like taking a class at church, serving on a committee or delivering food to the homeless.

I still feel as though my main role is to work hard and earn a good living to put food on my family’s table and to contribute to worthy causes, thus enabling good works of others. This is undoubtedly a vital role to play – and one whose value is sometimes overlooked. But slowly over the past year, perhaps subconsciously, I decided to be a little more active in ways that I would not have considered before. I found myself agreeing to serve on the Lay Leadership team (“as long as I don’t have to ask people to do things,” I remember saying – I joined and quickly found out that that is exactly what the Lay Leadership team is mostly about!).

It was an easier decision to join the Joyful Noise Ringers (a.k.a. the bell choir), but I’ve found the learning curve to be quite intense and performances to be somewhat nerve-wracking. And never having been to South Dakota, or to an Indian reservation, or on a mission trip (and very seldom sleeping in a place that has no ESPN, let alone in a tent!), I surprised myself by participating in the Lakota mission trip.

In each of these instances, I came away having grown in ways that I never thought likely. Through participating in these and other activities, I have made new friends, seen first-hand the importance of helping others and made progress in my faith journey. I feel as though I am continuing to learn to love others as I love myself, and to love God.

I don’t know that I will continue to participate in these activities. But I do know that I will continue to look for ways to contribute that I may not be comfortable with. I believe that this is vital to finding where I “fit in” and thus vital to my faith journey. I believe that each individual has his or her own way to contribute, and that the result is always greater than the sum of the parts. Perhaps one way to determine our role is by trying things that are new, different and perhaps even a little bit uncomfortable.

— Steve Lynn

Courtesy of The Church of the Good Shepherd United Methodist