Living In the Zone, (Comfort Zone that is) 50/366

Comfort zones. 
We all have them. 
Given a choice, most of us prefer to live and remain in them 
because to step out of our comfort is, 
well, it's uncomfortable! 

A phrase from John Maxwell's book "5 Levels of Leadership"
has resonated with me 
and given me a different perspective in the last few days: 
"expand your comfort zone". 
Those three words keep coming to mind.

I don't know why "stepping out of" my comfort zone is frightening and intimidating, 
even immobilizing sometimes,
while thinking of expanding my comfort zone is enticing and empowering. 
But it is. 
Perspective matters. 

In my experience comfort and growth rarely go hand in hand
I don't want to be "satisfied"
complacent
stagnant
or worse, 
decay 
while living

so, (deep breath and big sigh)
I am commiting to seek out 
and follow through with
plans/opportunities to grow,
to mature, to (shudder) invite change

I want being comfortable 
(satisfied with the way things are)
to become an uncomfortable, unsettling thing 
(I am not referring to living in a state of negative, complaining discontent)
I am saying this side of heaven there is always more growing to do...

Paul, from Ephesians 4:1-16

"I... urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 

There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 

But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift... And He gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers,to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood,to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into Him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love."