“You know, if my book had been published by a large publisher, I probably wouldn’t have to go door to door to small stores telling them about my book and why they should carry it.”
His fingers stopped typing as he met my anxious gaze. “You should be grateful for this opportunity. You have something they need. It’s a gift. You need to look at this as an act of obedience. God has placed this on your heart, now you must act. It’s obedience.”
I knew he was right. But that didn’t make it any easier to walk out of my comfort zone. My husband was right, and his encouragement caused the mental shift I needed in that moment.
God, direct my steps today. Prepare each encounter you have for me today.
I approached the owner of the last gift shop with an outer confidence that blanketed my sweaty palms and pounding heart. “Hi, my name is Renee Robinson. I’m a local author and live here in town and….” I started into my prepared speech, and she interrupted me.
“Oh, where exactly do you live?” When I answered, she told me about a lady who had just moved to town. She was newly widowed, the mother of several young children.
Thoughts of the book vanished as God stirred my heart for this woman I had never met. I no longer cared about this store carrying my book because God revealed something far greater.
“Can you give me her address or phone number? I would love to encourage her or help her. Show her around. Introduce her to people. Pray for her.”
I left the store and sat in silence as I thought about how my fear and my self-focus had nearly crippled me only hours before. How I had longed for a different circumstance. How I had longed for God to have painted a picture that made me feel a little more comfy in my life.
In my comfort, I rely on me. In my discomfort, it’s all on Him.
God wants us out of our comfort zone. This is the place we will encounter Him in ways we never imagined.
Rarely is it about what we think it is. It was never about the book. It’s about His radical, relentless pursuit of us. His never giving up Spirit that will create all kinds of scenarios to reach His children. It’s about relationships and connecting us together through Him.
That evening my 3 boys and I showed up on the doorstep of a stranger God had intersected our lives with. My boys were nervous wondering how we would be received. Would she like chicken noodle soup? What if she was making dinner already? I assured them God had it all handled.
This time I didn’t stand with shaky knees and sweaty hands before a stranger. I stood as one overwhelmed by grace, overflowing with gratitude for a God who reaches into our lives in such a personal way, connecting hearts and lives together.
Leave a Comment
Kim says
I love the lines: God wants us out of our comfort zone. This is the place we will encounter Him in ways we never imagined. It’s about relationships and connecting us together through Him.
I need to remember that specifically when I am asked to get out of my comfort zone.
Renee Robinson says
Thank you, Kim, It’s a message I find myself replaying. I’m always in need of reminders.
ro elliott says
I am right there on this journey… the line that jumps out is …be thankful for this opportunity… instead of dread… instead of grit your teeth kind of obedience… to be thankful for each step that takes us out of our comfort zone. God love a cheerful giver…not just our money…but of our lives. I am so thankful His Love can carry us past ourselves. Hillsong Oceans plays on repeat these days 🙂
Thanks for these encouraging words today!!!
Renee Robinson says
So very true. God does love a cheerful giver. Sometimes I forget this when I’m going through the motions of the day.
Renee Swope says
I love this Renee: “In my comfort, I rely on me. In my discomfort, it’s all on Him.” I do so much better when it’s all on Him.
Thanks for sharing such a good reminder in a way we can remember and apply it in our lives, today! 🙂
Renee Robinson says
Thank you, Renee. I tend to find myself trying, trying, and trying harder – only to realize later, I was working from me and not from Him. So thankful for His patience 🙂
Sabra Penley says
Thank you, Renee, for sharing this message. I am slowly coming to realize the truth in how discomfort–in those things that stretch us beyond where we like to stay–draws us into the precious community of the Lord. Those are the times when we experience Him like no other. And those are the times when we work alongside Him loving people and doing good. “In my comfort, I rely on me. In my discomfort, it’s all on Him.” This quote’s a keeper!
Renee Robinson says
Thank you, Sabra. I believe when we experience Him in these ways, we can’t help but love him more.
Kristin at See the Shine Be the Shine says
I love how God takes our focus( and a lot of times it seems to be a crazy preoccupation!) and shifts it -always for good. What a wonderful experience that you hot to share with your children as well. Beautiful ♡
Renee Robinson says
Thank you, Kristen. I am so grateful God is constantly shifting my focus and preoccupation. I can’t imagine what I would miss out on in this life if He weren’t always working on me!
Kerri Stites says
Wow. Perfect. God please keep leading us while we listen and follow You. We know you have prepared a place for us to love on people who are hurting.
Prayers welcome and necessary.
God is moving our family to Alaska to open and care for a homeless teen place.
Here we are. Send us. <3
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Angela Nazworth says
Renee, this is beautiful. Thank you for sharing your current journey with us. What an amazing opportunity you have!
Amber kemp says
What a beautiful message. It’s so true that the times I’ve been most uncomfortable and felt the most insecure, Gods hand perfectly orchestrates something wonderful, however small it may be.
Paulette says
Absolutely wonderful this story is. If you had not prayed ” God direct my steps today and prepare each encounter you have for me today.” God would never have had the opportunity to let you hear about someone that he knew needed that comfort themselves. It is so amazing that God is right there waiting for us to reach out to him and we don’t always understand that. Thank you for sharing.
Renee Robinson says
Paulette- thank you for this reminder. What happens when we don’t pray? Or what might we be missing? Great reminder!
betsydecruz says
I’m overwhelmed by grace too when I think of how brave you were to go up to that woman’s door with the soup! I do things like that too serving in church planting overseas, but it’s still sometimes hard, so I loved your point about God getting us out of our comfort zone so we can rely on Him instead of on ourselves.
Renee Robinson says
Thank you for your comment, Betsy. Leaving our comfort zone always brings us closer to Him when we are aligned with His will. I pray I never try to be too comfortable!
JoniG. says
No only was your blog post beautifully written, it deeply touched my heart. A few drops spilled out of my tired baby blues, because when you wrote,
“Rarely is it about what we think it is … It’s about His radical, relentless pursuit of us. His never giving up Spirit that will create all kinds of scenarios to reach His children. It’s about relationships and connecting us together through Him.”
you also wrote of my life for the last several years of slogging through my husbands illness, surgeries, the many times I expected he would die, and the loneliness.
I keep hearing of the ways I encouraged and touched others in Him all through it. Nothing external has changed, but internally I the tiniest bit aware God is making use of me. Unseen, but still gifted for use in His holy plans.
Thank you for bringing it deeper for me today.
Joni
Renee Robinson says
Joni- thank you for sharing your thoughts here. I can only imagine how God has used you as He has taken you through such painful and difficult times. I love how you so beautifully said, “Unseen, but still gifted for use in His holy plans.”
Beth WIlliams says
Joni,
Prayers for you and your husband. I pray God will heal your hubby completely.
Prayers for peace, comfort and contentment!
🙂
Beth WIlliams says
I long for God to paint a picture that makes me feel a little more comfy in my life. My current job has taken a dramatic shift from its beginning 7 years ago. So much of a shift that I would like to leave. Trouble is economy is such that I won’t find this good of a job (paycheck & benefits) elsewhere. I’m wanting to feel more comfy in life. Would love to just quit and become a cook.
In my comfort, I rely on me. In my discomfort, it’s all on Him. I find though that the former statement is ever so true. The more discomfort I have in life–job, aging parent, etc. The more I pray and seek His guidance.
“God wants us out of our comfort zone”. He has made that very clear to me more than once. He has laid people on my heart to assist in various ways. The Holy Spirit can really keep on me till I finally take action. Once I do take action I feel better about myself and the people I helped.
Blessings 🙂
Cynthia McGarity says
I. Love. This.
Thank you for the gentle reminder that it isn’t our plan but His that is most important…that when we trust, it brings the most amazing grace into our lives. And chicken soup?!? Good choice! Best comfort food ever! Lucky lady…