By Pastor Pam Seebach
Harmony, Mabel, and Newburg United Methodist Churches
My husband and I have a 1 ½-year-old black Labrador retriever; his name is Haka. Haka loves to do many things: play in the snow, play in the creek, play with the neighbor’s dog, … play just about anywhere and anytime! But Haka also loves to sleep. This morning, before he left for work, my husband asked Haka if he wanted to go outside. Haka was already asleep on his bed and declined to get up to go out. I don’t know if he has the capacity to think ahead, but when we leave for work Haka will be shut inside for many hours until one of us returns – not the best choice!
This incident made me think: what good things offered to us by God do WE turn down when we think we would rather stay inert in our comfortable spots? What are we missing? God may offer us a whole new world and life, but we might miss it because we are “already asleep.” In Chapter 4 of Matthew, Jesus came upon Simon (called Peter) and his brother Andrew. They were making a pretty good living as fishermen and had been doing so for a long time. Jesus said, “Come, follow me, … and I will send you out to fish for people.” (Matthew 4:19, NIV) Though they were skilled and comfortable as fishermen, Simon and Andrew followed Jesus. Much later, Jesus told Simon he would call him “Peter” (meaning “rock”) and Peter would be the foundation of Jesus’ church. What if Simon had told Jesus, “Nah, I’m comfortable here as a fisherman. I don’t want to go.”?
Each of us builds a life, doing things which are comfortable, trying – sometimes succeeding – to earn a living, settling in. Every once in a while, though, we are offered the opportunity to do something different – maybe a different job, maybe a volunteer position, maybe travel, maybe make a new friendship. It might feel more comfortable to stay put – not accept the offered opportunity – but then what? We may miss a wonderful, enriching, exciting new experience! Through the prophet Isaiah, God told the people Israel, “Don’t fear, because I am with you; don’t be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will hold you with my righteous strong hand.” (Isaiah 41:10, CEB) We, too, will be strengthened and guided by God. We don’t need to stay forever, sleeping in our comfortable spots, avoiding new experiences – God will be with us always!
Haka decided to go outside this morning after all. At the last minute, he got up off his bed. There was fresh snow, a rabbit to chase, and abundant spots to do his ‘business’. Leaving the warm, safe, comfort of his bed for the unknown was the RIGHT thing to do! We, too, can get up and go – knowing God is always with us.
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