At a recent event one of our prayer team thanked the Lord that when we step out of our comfort zones, we are always in God’s zone. I found that an amazing and exciting thought. We have just celebrated Pentecost and the giving of the Holy Spirit to the whole church. I find it wonderful to reflect upon the many aspects of the Holy Spirit’s ministry. His constant presence with us is one of the most comforting realities of living with Him in our everyday lives. As David says in Psalm 139: Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? We can’t escape Him and we can’t ever be in a situation where He is not present with us. He constantly watches over us and loves to speak to guide and help us.
In life we all have boundaries of what feels familiar and where we feel relaxed and sure of ourselves. Someone who is very sociable, and extravert may feel totally thrown to find themselves in a stiff and formal situation or even more out of their comfort zone if attending something like a silent retreat! As a deaf person I can feel inadequate in social situations, but the Holy Spirit is always with me and gives me strength and enabling. In our events the need to socialise and take the lead is huge. But it makes me lean into God for His power and resources and He always fulfils His promise to provide all I need.
Are you fearful of an impending situation right now? Are you being challenged to do something you’ve never done before? Several of Jesus disciples like Peter, James and John were very ordinary guys, used to working with their hands and providing for their families. But when they stepped out of their comfort zones to join Jesus, they found that rather than teetering on an unpredictable precipice, they were in God’s zone! That became all the more real on the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit was poured out in power upon them all. God’s Zone became full of new possibility. Peter was anointed immediately to share in depth from Scripture about Jesus being the long awaited Messiah. Over 3000 new believers were added to the church through that one Spirit inspired talk. Other disciples experienced the Holy Spirit giving them great ability to witness, to endure, to heal, to pray and to discern. I’ve experienced His power too. That knowing of what to say or do at just the right time, or the strength to take steps I would never have thought possible.
God’s zone is a zone full of adventure, exhilaration,challenge, compassion, love, joy, miracles, freedom, forgiveness, comfort and peace. I don’t want my comfort zones of guilt, fear or inadequacy to define what I do and the choices I make. I want to live in God’s zone, everyday embracing, knowing He is with me and the fullness of what that means. He will only ever ask me to take steps that are right for me even though they may feel daunting to start with. David says in Psalm 139 that God knows me through and through and even made me, knitting me together as a unique design. I am totally safe in His zone because I am living with someone who loves and knows me completely. He created all my natural traits and abilities and knows what supernatural gifts are right for me in my calling to serve Him. That is true for us all and there is always more to come, more love, more grace, more power as we lean into Him.
Prayer O Holy Spirit, we thank you that you empower us to step out of our comfort zones to live in God’s zone. Give us the boldness and trust to live in your zone everyday Lord. We love and worship you and thank you for your amazing work in our lives. Fill us now, that we might do your works and be witnesses of your love, Lord Jesus. In your precious name, amen.
