Out Of The Comfort Zone

Out of the Comfort Zone

The seeds of good deeds become a tree of life; a wise person wins friends.

Proverbs 11:30

I received a note from a friend on vacation who found herself in line with an Amish woman at a grocery store. “I wanted to talk to her—to get to know her—but I questioned if it was allowed.” Many of us may have the same question. We know that Amish men and women have close relationships within their own community, so we assume the Amish aren’t allowed to have friendships with outsiders. Some communities may discourage outside friendships, but many Amish people have great friendships with non-Amish. My friend was happy when I told her that having a neighborly conversation in a grocery store line is fine and could even lead to a new friendship!

When it comes to friendships, it’s sometimes easier to stay within our own circles and spend our time with those who are most like us. We can become uncomfortable when we don’t understand others’ lifestyles, attitudes, or philosophies. Just as we may question how Amish live without electricity, phones, or other modern conveniences, they may wonder how we live with those things. Our choices seem just as strange to the Amish as theirs do to us.

Jesus is our best example of someone who reached out to those beyond His immediate circles. He ate with tax collectors and prostitutes. He came from an insignificant town but interacted with high priests.

Have you become too comfortable within your own circles? Ask God to open your eyes, open your heart, and open your doors to someone very different from you. You might be stretched beyond your comfort zone, but the joy you experience in a new friend’s smile will be worth it!

Dear heavenly Father, I often find it easier to spend time with people who are like me. Today, Lord, help me to step out of my comfort zone. Bring someone into my life who needs a friend. And bring someone into my life who needs to hear about our truest friend, Jesus.