Life was never intended to be simple. Life has its own demands. Through the course of simply living, I know for sure that we are here to grow, develop, learn, fall, get up, cry, laugh, love, dance, rest, offer, know pain, endure change, share, reach out, reach down, teach, listen, be heard, sacrifice, be an example, nurture, forgive, respect, endure and especially pray. Our life lessons as well as our abilities to give are limitless. So why do we place limits on ourselves? Why have we built a fortress around our comfort zone? Are we keeping ourselves safe or limiting our ability to act? If you are a believer, then the best way to build a relationship and know God is to care for God’s people. It is not because of the spirit of the holidays that I ask “us” to get out of our comfort zones. It is because we are all members of the same family. I encourage you to turn your attention away from what you want or what you think you need and see that there are others whose needs are greater… just outside your comfort zone walls.
You won’t have to look far. You can find them in your extended families, next door, a co-worker in the next cubicle, a friend, a complete stranger, even a parent. If you can read this message, think of those who can’t read at all. If you woke up this morning, think of those who didn’t. If you are loved and ate a meal recently, think of those whose bellies are empty and may have never known the warmth of love. We are all God’s children, members of the same family. We must learn not to take anything for granted, especially time…it is NOT promised to anyone.
Today, you might be standing on a mountain, but everyone eventually ends up in the valley. The valley is a place where the most difficult life lessons are learned. When you manage to climb that mountain, while you are standing there, don’t forget to reach down into the valley to help someone scale the mountain and stand beside you. We can’t continue to turn a deaf ear to the cries of the family, nor can we pretend not to see what is in front of us. We are all accountable to the Father who created us…He sees. He hears. He knows all…and He is watching. It’s your move. How will you play it?