Did you know that when people do strength training it actually tears the muscles? This is intentional. This is how our muscles grow and get stronger. In summary (from Medical News Today):
Muscle size increases when a person continually challenges the muscles to deal with higher levels of resistance or weight. This process is known as muscle hypertrophy. Muscle hypertrophy occurs when the fibers of the muscles sustain damage or injury. The body repairs damaged fibers by fusing them, which increases the mass and size of the muscles.
Consider the metaphor for life and faith. We grow (smarter, stronger, wiser, and even closer to God) when we challenge ourselves out of our comfort zone so this is a challenge to embrace discomfort!
Recently I was given the task of interviewing leaders from nine different Christian mission organizations. While preparing for these meetings I was feeling overwhelmed by the commitment I’ve made to the church. It felt like too big of a task, I felt ill-equipped, not ready, and that someone else would do a better job. I also had fear that these organizations would ask too much of me and I’d let them down. Do you see the theme? It was all about me.
And then I turned it all over to God. My fears, my attitude, my insecurity, my time, my will. And he answered so beautifully, so peacefully, so joyfully.
These missions have been around for many years and serve Jesus Christ with passion, love, and great commitment. The ministries included the following and much more:
- Bible translation
- Providing higher education to pastors from India and elsewhere
- A women’s prison ministry
- Caring for people at leper colonies
- Community centers in a Muslim nation
- Mentoring young people in their faith journey
- Rescuing women from sex trafficking
- Teaching English to (and sharing the Gospel with) street children in under-developed nations
- A local church that was originally founded as a safe haven for prostitutes to leave prostitution
- A car, computer, food, and clothing missionary supply agency
As I met with each of the ministries I was in awe of what they were doing. How kind, humble, and loving they were, and the impact they are having as they win hearts and souls for Jesus. As we prayed together I felt peace beyond understanding. I felt my heart change to be filled with the desire to take action to support the missions. As I sought to bless these ministries, it was humbling to feel God blessing me through this experience. Just like BJ eloquently shared yesterday, the difference in my life came from living by faith, as opposed to living with faith.
Will you join me in stepping out of your comfort zone today? Whatever you’re uncomfortable with, could perhaps be related to your calling, to live by faith, for His glory. With this, I leave you with a blessing and encouragement to go forward:
Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant,equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. (Hebrews 13:20-21)
Today’s reading: Numbers 6-7; Hebrews 13