“Go; behold, I send you out as lambs in the midst of wolves. Carry no money belt, no bag, no shoes; and greet no one on the way.” (Luke 10:3-4, NASB)
If all goes as planned, by the time you read this I will have just returned from a 13-day mission trip to Nigeria and Kenya. I will have participated in golf clinics, rounds of golf, dinners, fellowship, and the sharing of the gospel at eight different golf clubs in these two African countries and to the Kariobungi slum in Nairobi. I feel equipped to teach golf and share with others about Jesus; however, this is well outside my comfort zone.
Less than six weeks ago I received an email from a colleague that Athletes in Action was looking for a male who could teach golf and share Jesus to join their golf mission trip to Nigeria and Kenya, asking if I knew anyone that might fit the criteria. There was only one person that the Holy Spirit brought to my mind: me!
I might have met some of the basic qualifications, but this was not a part of my already busy plans, nor was it convenient.I may have played golf professionally, know the golf swing well, and lead several Links Fellowships every week in Atlanta, but what do I know about Nigerians and Kenyans? Plus, I have never been on a mission trip like this before, and I am more of a teacher than an evangelist. I also have a wife and two young children, and our bank account doesn’t have the funds for this. It’s holiday season and ministry fund-raising season and my first published book is launching.
I had many good reasons to tell God, “No.” I might have met some of the basic qualifications, but this was not a part of my already busy plans, nor was it convenient. Despite all reasonable objections, my spirit knew that I was supposed to go.
Why? Because it is outside my comfort zone.
There were plenty of people equipped to do what I was being asked to do on this trip to serve people in Africa through golf; however, there was one person he really wanted to see grow through these particular circumstances: me!
In his TED Talk titled “Discomfort Triggers Growth,” businessman Bill Eckstrom says, “What makes you comfortable can ruin you, and only in a state of discomfort can you continually grow” (TEDx University of Nevada). This is true in our careers, fitness, golf games, and in our discipleship of Jesus; we must embrace that growth only occurs in a state of discomfort. If we are going to grow more into the likeness of Jesus, then we must be willing to step outside our comfort zone.
When Jesus sent out his disciples (in today’s verse) to prepare the way for his coming, he instructed them to take nothing with them that they could rely on. Imagine being told to go on an international mission trip without any cash, credit cards, or cell phone. Imagine God instructed you to look for people (supplied by the Holy Spirit) to welcome you and host you in peace. Would you trust him to go?
I am starting to think I got a comparatively easier assignment. More than likely, you realize, like I have, that you have much room for growth in your trust of the Lord. Our faith and trust in God develops in relationship over time; however, it will likely only come when you step outside your comfort zone.
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Josh Nelson
December 10, 2018
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The Links Daily Devotional appears Monday-Friday at www.linksplayers.com.