“9Now why do you cry aloud? Is there not king in you? Has you counselor perished, that pain seized you like a woman in labor? 10Writhe and groan, O daughter of Zion, like a woman in labor, for now you shall go out from the city and dwell in the open country; you shall go to Babylon. There you shall be rescued; there the LORD will redeem you from the hand of your enemies.” – Micah 4:9-10 (ESV)
When I read these verses, it comes to mind that the people are being sent away from the area that they live and feel comfortable. They are led there by God, and God knows that it will be difficult for them (“Writhe and groan…like a woman in labor”).
I know that I have been confronted with the opportunities to step away from the area of comfort I am in before. One of the biggest that comes to mind was accepting a job 1500 miles from where I grew up. God led Lori, the boys, and me there and we accepted, not knowing what to expect or what was to come of it. But God rescued us. He brought a church and people into our lives that made it seem as though we belonged. And we, as a family grew from the experience. Then, God brought us back to Texas and to the area we live now, again and provided people and church for us to lean on.
It was difficult for me to step away from what I knew and what was comfortable. God even knew it would be tough for me and us. But, He also knew that He would be rescuing and redeeming us from whatever was to come. We may not have been able to see it, or may never know it exists, but we were rescued, and for that we should be thankful.
God leads us on the path He has for us. We may not know where it leads or why He takes us there, but trusting Him is the only way to go.
When you are challenged with stepping out of your comfort zone, how do you react? Are you willing to trust that God has your redemption in mind? Will you follow God, even out of your comfort zone?
Trevor's Thoughts 