The self-chosen way out of the comfort zone
Series: Follow me | Bible text: 2 Corinthians 12:10
Everyone wants to be happy in life. But how do I do that? Do I make myself happy, do I follow someone or something? If you read Paul’s account, his discipleship does not seem very promising at first glance: weakness, abuse, hardship, persecution and fear accompany him on his journey. But these do not deter him for two reasons. On the contrary – he chooses the path out of his comfort zone because, on the one hand, he experiences Christ himself in his weakness and, on the other, he becomes an ambassador of the good news of salvation, peace and joy.
I was once allowed to go on a hike across the Monteratsch glacier. It was actually a dangerous endeavour because there were hidden crevasses everywhere. We had a mountain guide who I followed closely. I never felt unsafe – despite the danger…
Discipleship requires the realisation of my own incompleteness, that I need someone to go before me. If I do not understand this, I will not follow.
We all want to be happy. How do we find happiness? By following our own compass? If we believe the trends of society? Will I be happy if I am doing as well as possible? Will I be happy if others are doing well?
Peter answers Jesus» question as to whether they will also go away and follow their own ways: «We believe and have recognised that you are the Holy One of God» (John 6:69 NLB).
Peter says: «I trust that you know the way. You know the source and the goal of life. I made the same decision 45 years ago. I want to be a follower of Jesus in order to find happiness with him and with him.
Which path did Christ take to find happiness?
«Although he was God, he did not insist on his divine rights. He renounced everything; he took the lowly position of a servant and was born as a man and recognised as such. He humbled himself and was obedient to the point of death, dying like a criminal on a cross» (Philippians 2:6–8 NLB).
Jesus gave up everything one could have and became a servant of the Father in order to open the way for people to enter into communion with the Father and thus pave the way for their happiness. He chose to leave his comfort zone – in every respect, so that the Father’s goals could be achieved.
Christ became a servant follower. Now he calls us to become servant followers – with the same willingness to go out of our comfort zone to reach people
What does servant discipleship mean?
«Verily, verily, I say unto you: Unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Whoever loves his life will lose it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If any man will serve me, let him follow me: and where I am, there shall my servant be also. And whoever serves me, my Father will honour him» (John 12:24–26 NLB).
To follow (Greek «akoloutheo») means to be on the way together. Serving here (Greek «diakoneo») means, among other things, «preparing the table».
Christ is super transparent: discipleship is no walk in the park. Discipleship is stepping out of our comfort zone. If we follow Christ, we will walk the paths that he walks – together towards people. This path, the path of love, is challenging. We give more than we receive. Love and devotion are not an investment. Love is a one-way donation.
What is the task on this path? It is a path of «preparing the table» and it is a path of «taking up my cross».
What does this table stand for? It is the table of communion with our Creator and Father and his Son our brother, set with complete provision.
We are to help prepare this table of happiness for others so that they can find this happiness. That is why the Father will also honour us when we do this service. We show people the way how they can come back into fellowship with HIM. We fulfil His greatest wish that He can celebrate a feast with the children who have returned, like the father of the prodigal son after his return. We are not like his brother, who was angry when the prodigal son returned. We are the pioneers of the return.
If we want to be such trailblazers, we also have to go to the pigsties of this world, which means leaving our comfort zone.
The way of the cross is the willingness to pay any price so that others may find salvation and redemption. That was the goal of Jesus Christ.
In order for us to walk the same path, we need Jesus Christ as our guide for various reasons:
- He is the example: Who would know better how to leave the comfort zone without failing? Who has a bigger heart for people than him? He gave us the example of how discipleship works, how he lived discipleship towards his father.
- We need his wisdom and strength for this servant discipleship, for this taking up of the cross, for this «denying himself».
«Then he said to them all: Whoever wants to follow me deny yourself and take up his cross itself daily and follow me» (Luke 9:23 LUT).
- People must trust in Christ and his Father so that they can entrust their lives to them. This is only possible if they encounter his glory. His glory should be shown in us.
Are you happy to leave your comfort zone?
Paul now goes one better. He writes: «Therefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in abuse, in hardships, in persecutions, in fears for Christ’s sake, because when I am weak, I am strong.» (2 Corinthians 12:10 ELB)
The English King James translation even speaks of «Therefore I take pleasure».
Not only are we supposed to leave our comfort zone, but now we’re supposed to enjoy it! What’s the point?
But there is an answer: Paul recognised what is important for people to recognise the Father and open their hearts to Jesus Christ. It is not the strength of his followers, but the strength of God that is shown in his followers.
Paul recognised that it is the «radiance of God’s glory», which has become visible in Jesus Christ, that touches hearts.
When what Christ is like becomes visible, people can trust.
Now it is not the case that Christ makes us, who are sent out as ambassadors, into heroes who no longer have any weaknesses. Rather, he shows his glory by demonstrating his strength, his ability to create change, in weak people. People don’t need us, they need Christ.
Paul «rejoices» in challenge because Christ then shows himself in all his love and power – these qualities of «love» and the ability to «break chains», to free people and bring them into communion with the Father.
The key to Paul’s ministry skills was his trust in Christ. This is also our way of becoming capable of walking outside our comfort zone: a close, unclouded relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ.
The weakness of Paul showed the strength of Christ. People did not need Paul, they needed Christ. But Paul was the servant who prepared the table of fellowship with Christ and the Father, and he was ready for anything. We can do and be the same.
This makes the path out of the comfort zone meaningful. On this path, Christ’s glory becomes visible. Or as someone once said: «When God wants to do something great, he starts with a difficulty. When God wants to do something really great, he starts with an impossibility.»
Paul summarises this entire context in chapter 4 of 2 Corinthians as follows:
«For God, who said: «Let there be light in the darkness», has made us realise in our hearts that this light is the radiance of God’s glory, which becomes visible to us in the face of Jesus Christ. But we carry this precious treasure in fragile vessels, namely in our weak bodies. So everyone can see that our strength comes entirely from God and is not our own. We are beset on all sides by difficulties, but not crushed. We are perplexed, but we do not despair. We are persecuted, but God never abandons us. We are thrown to the ground, but we get up again and carry on. Through suffering, we constantly experience the death of Christ in our own bodies, so that his life is also visible in our bodies. It is true: because we serve Jesus, we live in constant danger of death so that his life can be made visible in our mortal bodies. So we live in the face of death, and that has brought you life» (2 Corinthians 4:7–12 NLB).
Possible questions for the small group
- What conditions must be met for you to leave your comfort zone?
- Is your trust in Christ great enough that you can do things that are challenging, but you know they are God’s will?
- What can strengthen your trust in Christ so that you dare to step out of your comfort zone?
- Can you understand Paul’s delight in challenges?
- Do you understand why Paul says this? What sense can it make to accept challenges in your discipleship?
