The Church has left the building

Early this week, I (Scott) spent a little time with the Junior Highers from Trinity's student ministry. They're in Chicago this week working with the Center for Student Missions, an organization that does good work in Jesus' name in several of the largest cities in America.

I can tell from being with the students that they are out of their comfort zone.

I was with them while they served at a Soup Kitchen in North Chicago. I had Hudson (he's 4) with me...and to watch the multiple families with kids Hudson's age sit around the table and eat their (only?) meal there together was more than a little sobering.
They are encountering this kind of world jarring imagery every day this week.
And that's good.

Good because what they are doing is fundamental to following Jesus. Here's why: Unless you want to stay the same, not grow, not be challenged, not have your horizons expanded, have a shrinking heart, love God less, love your neighbor less...your comfort zone has to be challenged.

When you allow your comfort zone to be challenged, your heart begins to beat with life. Your pace quickens. Your eyes open to new things. Your ears hear new sounds. You begin, like the founder of World Vision prayed "to have your heart broken by the things that break God's heart." You enter into a new world.

There are all kinds of way to challenge your comfort zone.
Give something up for Lent.
Take an off-the-wall idea to invest $1, $2 or $5 in blessing someone and run with it.
Open your mind to Scripture on a regular basis.
Get to know your neighbor beyond "Nice weather, huh?"
Go on a mission trip.
Go into the city and instead of saying "thank God I don't live here!" prayerfully see the realities and problems there.

Way to go Junior Highers. Thanks for setting the example.