Comfortable

Our home has an attached garage. I really like having an attached garage because I hate having to scrape the frost off of my windshield in the morning before heading out to work.

Nancy and I are some of those rather unique people who keep their garage neatly arranged enough that we have room for two cars in our two car garage. Many of our neighbors with garages are forced to leave their cars out at night because their garages are too full to accommodate a car.

This morning, as i walked from the parking lot to my office, I realized one of the few drawbacks to having an attached garage. It was chilly and windy this morning and I didn't wear a jacket. I failed to realize the weather conditions because it was warm and dry in the house and it was warm and dry in the garage. It wasn't until I got out into the "real" world that I realized how things really were – cool, rainy and breezy.

My garage experience parallels, in many ways, our experiences as middle class American Christians. Because of our relative wealth (Compared to the rest of the world, we are rich!) and comfort, we have a difficult time identifying with those who have some pretty profound needs and live in some extremely challenging conditions. We, generally speaking, live insulated and isolated lives.

We tend to roll through life relatively problem free. And when difficulties do arise, we find ourselves ill equipped to deal with them. I am not suggesting that one should look for ways to suffer. But I am suggesting that our own comfort and well being not necessarily be our number one priority. Instead, perhaps, we could give up some of what we have and share it with others around us that are truly in need. Perhaps we could make decisions that are not foundationally predicated on what makes us most comfortable but take into consideration what God might want us to do and what might bless those around us who have some basic needs. Maybe, if I didn't spend every penny I earn on my wants and my never ending quest to placate my insatiable consumerism, I would have some money available to help those around me.

I am suggesting that we purposefully get beyond our carefully guarded comfort zones where we live hunkered down avoiding contact with the real world and surrounded by our creature comforts. I am suggesting that we get out into the world around us - a world filled with heartache, fear, frustration and need - and start sharing some of the love, grace and wealth God has given to us. I believe this would be a healthy thing to do. I believe this would be a good thing to do. And, I believe it is the Christian thing to do.

I'm just sayin'...

Copyright © 2010, William T. McConnell, All Rights Reserved