Comfort or Christ?

Are we looking for comfort in our lives or are we looking for Christ?  Well, what causes us discomfort?
Giving up Starbucks?
Cancelling our movie subscription?
Eating in one night a week?
Do those things really create discomfort or just inconvenience?
Let's try again...What causes us discomfort?
Sin
Living in a broken world
Idolizing comfort
A shallow understanding of sacrifice?
Can you add to the list?

What do we choose over Christ?  In what ways do we discount Christ and supplant our own comfort as a place of glory?  Well, in some ways, I probably do that every day; probably every day I make a choice for my comfort over obedience or time with Christ. Then, I am amazed by people who make true sacrifices: raising foster children, adopting children, serving as a caregiver, working as a missionary without a salary.  What ways can you think of that people make true sacrifices in our modern society?

Who is preparing the way of the Lord in today's world? Do you think it is megachurch pastors or evangelists or popular musicians?  I think it might by the custodian at a school or the lunch lady, or the librarians's assistant, who love children unconditionally and instruct them in the way they should go..  It could be the truck driver who spreads to good news at each stop he makes - with joy and love.  Who else is preparing the way of the Lord?

Why are we afraid to make sacrifices in the name of the Lord? We are afraid he won't "catch" us when we fall or when we fail.  We are afraid we won't do it "right."  Guess what?  We will fall, we will fail, and we won't always get it "right."  But we rejoice:

Look up into the heavens.
    Who created all the stars?
He brings them out like an army, one after another,
    calling each by its name.
Because of his great power and incomparable strength,
    not a single one is missing.
O Jacob, how can you say the Lord does not see your troubles?
    O Israel, how can you say God ignores your rights?
Have you never heard?
    Have you never understood?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
    the Creator of all the earth.
He never grows weak or weary.
    No one can measure the depths of his understanding.
He gives power to the weak
    and strength to the powerless.
Even youths will become weak and tired,
    and young men will fall in exhaustion.
But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.
    They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary.
    They will walk and not faint.


A step further: 
Chapter 40 is full of questions.  You may choose to write down some or all of the questions in order to better understand the nature of God.


Grace Discipleship:
Prayer for the hungry:

Lord Jesus you fed the hungry,
you shared your bread with all.
Your people hunger now,
and we are called to share your bread.
May rains fall upon the dry and broken earth
and quench your people’s thirst,
so seeds grow tall and flourish,
producing a bountiful harvest.

May we share the blessings you give us
and bring comfort to those in need.
May we show love through our actions
so all have enough to eat.

We ask this through Christ our Lord, Amen.

By Helen Moriarty/CAFOD