on comfort

When I was growing up and learned about idol worship, I envisioned gold calves. As I became older, I learned that an idol is anything placed before God: money, fame, etc. I think a lot of us brush off the whole idol-worshiping problem as one that isn't our own. For example, I haven't been burdened with the temptation of placing fame over God.

But then I had a revelation. Here is the passage:

 "Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn't worship him as God or even give thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools. And instead of worshiping the glorious, ever-living God, they worshiped idols..." - Romans 1:21-23

Here is the corresponding footnote in my study Bible. I answered the questions on paper, and I encourage you to as well:

How could intelligent people turn to idolatry? Idolatry begins when people reject what they know about God. Instead of looking to him as the creator and sustainer of life, they see themselves as the center of the universe. They soon invent "gods" that are convenient projections of their own selfish ideas. These gods may be wooden figures, or they may also be goals or things we pursue, such as money, power, or possessions. They may even be misrepresentations of God himself--making God in our image, instead of the reverse. The common denominator is this: Idolaters worship the things God made rather than God himself. Is there anything you feel you can't live without? Is there any priority greater than God? Do you have a dream you would sacrificed everything to realize? Does God take first place in your life? Do you worship God or idols of your own making?

After looking at my answers, I realized that they all had one thing in common: my personal comfort. And it struck me: an area I struggle with is personal comfort. I love being comfortable. I seek it out in almost every area of my life and I treasure the feeling of being secure and... comfortable. Who doesn't? I enjoy snuggling up in a pile of blankets, feeling emotionally safe in loving friendships and relationships, perfect weather (today I have been so blessed with weather in the 80s!!), comfort food, smells like lavender that make me feel cozy, the reassurance I feel after reading about God's love, music that makes me feel warm and calm inside, ordering food I am familiar with when I go out to eat... And I think in America, it is particularly hard to not have idols.

I don't think God is asking me to give up everything I enjoy. On the contrary, I realize that these are gifts--everything good is a gift from God (James 1:17). However, answering the questions from the study Bible and reflecting about the implications of those answers helped me to identify that comfort is a potential area for disobedience in my life: disobedience that could result when I value the security I find in comfort OVER the things God is trying to do through me.

Something my pastor says is that "God is more concerned with your character than your comfort." Yes, yes he is. And you give God the opportunity to move in your life when you take a step outside of the comfort bubble. God works through our weaknesses (2 Corinthians 12:9).

This revelation is one of the ways I felt that the Holy Spirit was preparing me for my current journey. And now I'm just 25 days away from being in Herrnhut, Germany!