Comfort Zone

I don't know about you ladies but I love to read! I love the smell of opening up a new book and even the musty, worn smell of an old one. I find joy in reading and often times God uses reading to spark a new interest in me or to help me grow and learn. I'm the type of person you can't get to come out of Barnes and Noble and when I do it is usually with a bag full of books! As you can imagine, I have many in my room waiting to be read. Lately, my friends and family have been letting me borrow some of theirs! As I neared the bottom of my borrowed books, I came to a book one of my good friends let me borrow. It's called Kisses from Katie by Katie Davis.

The past week God has been using this book to change and prepare my heart. It is a true story about a girl named Katie who feels led to go to Uganda during the summer between her junior and senior year of high school. God places a passion and a love in her heart and after she graduates she decides to take a year off before college to go live in Uganda. While there she is blessed many times and finds her purpose in life is to love and be a light to those around her.

This young woman is such an inspiration to me. Like her I have felt led not to go to college because those aren't in God's plans for me.(one of the hardest decisions I've ever made because going seemed to be everyone elses plans for me) I also know one day I will be in another place loving others and showing them the glory and grace of God! But sometimes I forget that he has plans for the present! What does God have planned now? How can I be a light in my home town? Who does He want to impact through me today?

I just want to say that if you feel called to serve somewhere else... don't ignore God!!! He knows we like to feel comfortable and like to have a place to call home. But remember we are here on Earth to serve Him and be good stewards to others. Secondly, some of you may be thinking, "I don't feel led to go somewhere else, God wants me right where I am." And that is wonderful:] I am so thankful for you!!! Not everyone can go over seas otherwise there would be no one to help the lost and broken here!:]

My pastor always talks about stewardship this time of year. Just remember you can go the hard places, do the difficult things, or you can remain comfortable. God will love you whatever you choose. You may still see His glory revealed in your life and recognize His blessings, but not like you could have getting out of your comfort zone to do what God has planned for you! I want to get out of my comfort zone this year, be open to God's plans, and most of all... love!!!

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

~Philippians 4:13~