The Chomp
In just a few hours, I'll board a flight to Medellín, Colombia. Then, over the next few days, I will meet people, see things, and discuss ideas that may potentially have a ripple effect for generations to come. Today is what I was referring to when I shared the idea of biting off more than we can chew. Today is the chomp.
If I'm being honest with myself, my life would be much easier and more comfortable if I had just stayed home today. I could spend the weekend relaxing with my kids, getting rested, and knocking out a bunch of important work projects early in the week. Instead, I'm waking up at 4AM on a Saturday and flying to South America to discuss things far bigger than me.
If I'm still being honest with myself, I wouldn't have it any other way. We weren't born to live easy or comfortable lives. We were born to serve others and make a difference. That looks different for each of us, and for me, this week, it means flying to Colombia.
If you look in the mirror and can say to yourself that your life feels pretty comfortable right now, I challenge you to change that. I challenge you to do something that puts you outside of your comfort zone. I've had seasons of comfort in my life. They feel good! It's like a warm and cozy blanket. I had time to do what I wanted. I had money to do what I wanted. In a lot of ways, I felt very much in control of my fate. That all sounds quite appealing......except it's a slow-acting poison. Nothing can lull us to sleep quite like comfort.
Here's one way I often look at it. If/when I'm living in comfort, I have to simultaneously recognize how much hurt, pain, suffering, brokenness, and discomfort is out there. Sure, I could create a beautiful little bubble for me and my family to comfortably live in, but that feels like a selfish and self-serving way to go through life. Then, I think about my favorite scripture:
Proverbs 3:27 - "Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act."
We all have something to give: Money, stuff, wisdom, service, influence, skills, experience, time, etc. We can sit in comfort, or we can choose to act.
I will be sharing a lot more about this trip in the coming days, but today, I wanted to set the table. Whatever is on your agenda today, I hope there's some discomfort woven into it. We weren't put here to pursue leisure, but rather, to pursue impact. Yes, find some leisure. Enjoy some leisure. Savor some leisure. But make sure it's woven into the discomfort and impact.
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