I have heard it said, “He who aims at nothing will hit it.” How true that is! This quote led me to what I wanted to talk about in this blog: stepping out of our comfort zone for the cause of Christ.
Growing up, I remember I used to get that dreaded mark on my report card: “needs to control talking.” That was in kindergarten, and evidently, I could not be quiet. The older I got, though, the shyer I became. Call it shyness, no confidence, whatever it was, I never would have been a good spokesperson for anything. When I was going to Roane State Community College, I had to take a public speaking course. The thought of speaking in front of people scared me to death. I just was not the public speaking type. I remember my whole body shook from nervousness, my voice sounded different, and I was sweating. Needless to say, I was so scared & uncomfortable. The less I had to say the better I felt. Admit it, we like to be comfortable.
Fast forward a bit. About 10 years ago, my husband Chris took his first minister job at a very small congregation of about 25 people. They didn’t have children that regularly attended there. One day we had some visitors and the kids needed a teacher. They asked me, and of course, I said yes – reluctantly, but I said yes. I had no idea what to do. I had never taught a class. We got in the class and I just started from the beginning in Genesis. I felt relieved after that class was over. But those two kids started coming regularly and I became their Sunday school teacher. I didn’t realize it at the time, but I was being led outside my comfort zone.
We moved on to a congregation that was closer to home and that had some children. I taught a kids’ class and loved it. I was learning so much from teaching these kids. I felt my confidence and my love for teaching growing. About a year and a half later, I went way out of my element and started teaching the ladies’ class. I found myself loving to speak in front of people, especially about God and His Word.
We are currently at a congregation where I started teaching some kids’ classes, and then I was asked by the ladies to teach the ladies’ class on Sunday afternoons. I have to say I was so excited, yet so scared. These women knew so much, and I thought, “what can I bring to the table?” These women should be teaching me, and of course, they do every time I am around them.
Well, three years later I am still teaching our ladies’ class. It has been the best experience of my life. If you were to ask me 10 years ago if I would be teaching so much, I would have said probably not. But I love studying the Bible and dissecting each verse and teaching others. 2 Timothy 1:7 says, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” For me, I am glad God led me outside of my comfort zone. If we continue to stay in our comfort zone, how can we know our real potential? How can we know what we are actually capable of? Step out in faith, step out in love, and step out for the cause of Christ. You will be amazed by the blessings that follow.