Are We Too Comfortable?

Photo by Matthew Henry, courtesy of Unsplash

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I was born cold. Like a heat-seeking missile, I am drawn to heaters, fireplaces, and bonfires. I not only preheat the oven for a batch of muffins, I preheat our bathroom before showering. 

Recently, I wondered if I was too enamoured with comfort. Not that God’s against being comfortable. After all, Jesus slept on a pillow in the middle of a raging sea. (Mark 4:38, NKJV)

Even a one-celled amoeba seeks to avoid pain. The danger comes when we ignore the “God of all comfort” and seek comfort from substances and unprofitable schemes. The list is long, begun easily with a litany of things we don’t do--alcohol overdosing, chimney chain smoking, reckless gambling. Rarely, however, do we discern our own drug of choice--overeating, rampant spending, media immersing...

God knows we reside in a pain-filled world. Even when we chose to live like Jesus would if He were us, we get bumped and bruised by fellow travelers, sometimes intentionally. A careless driver crosses the center line. A careless comment cuts into our soul. We are tempted to retreat. 

God’s Word speaks of safe hiding places:

“The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe.” (Proverbs 18:10, NKJV)

“You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.” (Isaiah 26:3, NKJV) 

“How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! (Matthew 23:37b, ESV)

There’s nothing wrong with coziness--unless ease becomes our god. Anything, including a toasty abode on a chilly day, hampering our walk with Jesus needs to be off limits. Let’s choose to throw back the covers of convenience and comfort! We have a high and holy calling: “Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you.” (Isaiah 60:1, NKJV)