Dream on. Dream Until Your Dream Comes True

Stepping out of Familiar into the Unknown

By Pastor Adam Fox

It was December of 2003 and ELF, Lord of the Rings: Return of the King and Finding Nemo are all dominating the box office. The Christmas of 03 was unique in that the men of the Fox/Payne household all got a book from my dad. This is an unusual move for him since it seems on the surface he mailed it in that year but instead it was the opposite. This gift book moved him so greatly, he wanted all of us to share. Now I am sharing with you.

The book is The Dream Giver by Bruce Wilkinson. It starts with a modern-day parable about Ordinary, who dares to leave the Land of Familiar to pursue his Big Dream. This parable from the mind of Wilkinson is a great example of me, of us. We all have dreams and hopes but rarely do we act upon them. Instead we let the rational or the fears keep us where we are and press on, ignoring our dreams but staying in our Comfort Zone. 

For me, my comfort zone were jobs I was over qualified for keeping me secure  and away from my dream of finishing college and becoming a minister. My fear of trying and failing again, of looking dumb again was my prison. Comfort zones do that to us. 

Being comfortable is nice, if you are sitting in your favorite chair at the end of a long day but no so much if that is how you live your life. Comfortable. Safe. Never trying. Not growing. We need to get out of our comfort zones, leave our familiar and try. Will we always succeed? Nope. But we will always grow and learn about ourselves. 

The Christian comedian group known as the Skit Guys have two great videos about what it looks like for us to be in our comfort zone. I would encourage you to look for them on the internet or Youtube. 

Another example for us can be found in the Scriptures. The Bible is filled with examples of people who left the Land of Familiar, daring to dream and risking it all for the purpose of doing God's will and what is right. 

Look at Esther first. In the Book of Esther we see a very beautiful Jewish girl go from rags to royalty. As the new Queen, Esther is put in a place to expose the evil scheme of the wicked Haman and save the Jewish nation. But to do so, she would expose herself as Jewish and risk being killed. Esther prayed and followed the Godly advice of her uncle Mordecai and boldly went before her husband the king at risk of her own life and spoiled the nefarious plans of Haman.

What about Ruth. Ruth is the story about Elimelech, a man of Bethlehem-Judah, with his wife, Naomi, and his two sons, Mahlon and Chilion, went in time of famine and sojourned in the land of Moab. There Elimelech died, and the two sons married, Mahlon taking Ruth as his wife, and Chilion taking Orpah—both women of Moab, where both sons likewise died. With Ruth's Father in Law and husband dying, Ruth is given the out to restart her life but instead stays with Naomi her Mother-in-Law and takes care of her. In doing so, God leads her to Boaz and a redeemer all because she stepped out in faith. 

How about Nehemiah. the cup bearer to King Artaxerxes of Persia. Nehemiah risked his life, his job and lively hood to go back to Jerusalem and build a wall for the city. We could go and and spend time talking about so many more like Elijah, Moses, Paul or even Ananias. But the thread is the same through all of them, they risked much for God. 

Leaving Familiar, leaving your comfort zone is a frightening thought. It is a place where there is no challenges, no risks, no failure. But also it is a place of no growth and lack of faith. Being like these men and women of faith who risked so much for God, who left their comfort zone should be our goals but we will never do it alone. 

Deuteronomy 31:8And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.”

Joshua 1:9Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Isaiah 41:10Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’

When we leave our safe zone, our comfort zone, we will not be alone in doing so. God is with us and tells us not to be afraid but to trust Him. 

But here is the thing, the comfort zone applies to us as humans and Christians; staying in the comfort zone stifles our growth as believers and in other ways - which keeps us from doing great things for God. But this principle applies to the church as well. These type of churches do not walk in faith and end up becoming stuck.

Is being stuck like this a terrible thing? Yes it actually is. It would be the same way as staying eleven years old for the rest of your life would be. We always need to keep growing, striving and trying - even if it means failing at times. But for churches who are unwilling to grow and do what is needed to win souls they stay how things were. Comfortable. 

Growth is never fun, it is freighting in fact but it is necessary. Humans and churches who refuse to do so suffer and stay where we are. Some times we need to get up, and do the work ourselves, knowing that God is with us and not worry about the doubts and fears. 

Want to see your church grow in numbers? Invite people you know. 

Want a better job or situation? Take a risk, after much prayer and devotional time. 

Want someone you know to accept Jesus as their Savior? Witness to them.

Leaving your comfort zone means challenges of Giants and obstacles to our growth. But it is needed for all of us. While it is never easy or fun, but growing to become more like my God is worth it and it starts with wanting to leave the town of Familiar to face the giants.

"Expect great things from God; attempt great things for God." William Carey

Cheers and Excelsior!

Pastor Adam