Comments on: Stepping out of our comfort zone http://www.cypressmeadows.org/ignite/2007/09/17/stepping-out-of-our-comfort-zone/ Life on fire Thu, 09 Sep 2010 15:17:50 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.1 By: Paul http://www.cypressmeadows.org/ignite/2007/09/17/stepping-out-of-our-comfort-zone/#comment-45 Paul Thu, 20 Sep 2007 10:25:34 +0000 http://www.cypressmeadows.org/ignite/2007/09/17/stepping-out-of-our-comfort-zone/#comment-45 This is a big challenge for me personally. In order to do what Bud suggested it means intentionally putting myself in places where I can interact with and build relationships with people who are not Christians. That takes time. Being receptive to “divine interruptions” – stopping to talk to a neighbor when you’re both rolling out the trash can at the same time or stopping to talk to an acquaintance you run into at the store – takes time too. Usually I’ve got a full schedule and have to focus – avoid interruptions – to stay on track. And then when I get behind schedule and something has to give, the easiest things to cut back on are the relational things, and in particular the casual acquaintances, my neighbors and unchurched friends. I really have to work hard to build time into my schedule for unchurched people and even harder to leave margins in my schedule for interruptions. This is a big challenge for me personally. In order to do what Bud suggested it means intentionally putting myself in places where I can interact with and build relationships with people who are not Christians. That takes time. Being receptive to “divine interruptions” – stopping to talk to a neighbor when you’re both rolling out the trash can at the same time or stopping to talk to an acquaintance you run into at the store – takes time too.

Usually I’ve got a full schedule and have to focus – avoid interruptions – to stay on track. And then when I get behind schedule and something has to give, the easiest things to cut back on are the relational things, and in particular the casual acquaintances, my neighbors and unchurched friends. I really have to work hard to build time into my schedule for unchurched people and even harder to leave margins in my schedule for interruptions.

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