I used to own a pair of comfy shoes.
Pointy-toed and sparkly with just the right amount of heel. They looked great with a nice pair of jeans. And when I traveled, they felt like slippers as I walked through the airport.
The ends of both pointy tips — if you looked close — were fraying.
The cushion in the sole had slid sideways so I glued them. Everything about them said that it was time to buy a new pair of shoes.
Except I loved these shoes.
Yeah, it was obvious that it was time to move on. But I just kept on wearing them, ignoring the frayed tips. Hoping nobody would notice. Pretending they were still shiny and functional.
Like those shoes, sometimes I find a comfortable spot or attitude or place in my faith or life. God may be nudging me to stretch, to believe big, or to toss out what’s not working to embrace the new, but I hang on to what is comfortable.
I remember the day I threw the shoes in the trash.
I also remember times that I threw away my fear or my apathy to reach for what God was offering.
To live free we stretch.
Stretch (verb): be made or be capable of being made longer or wider without tearing or breaking.
We do so because our comfort zone can become a mountain we willingly never climb.
We Is God asking you to stretch spiritually? Emotionally? In your relationship with others? In your attitude?
Are you holding tight to something that is keeping you stuck?
Toss it out.
Embrace the new.
Let’s do it together.
Stre—ttttch!
Suzie
Take It Deeper
Scripture: Don’t fool yourself into thinking that you are a listener when you are anything but, letting the Word go in one ear and out the other. Act on what you hear! Those who hear and don’t act are like those who glance in the mirror, walk away, and two minutes later have no idea who they are, what they look like. James 1:22-24 (The Message)
Today: Are there things that you are hanging on to that are frayed and worn out from overuse?
Like your temper? Like that protective wall that keeps others at bay?
That excuse you keep making when God asks you to step out in faith and do something new and adventurous?
It’s not about the success. You might lose your temper again. You might have to break down that wall a few times before it comes down permanently. But eventually, as you stretch, it becomes less stretching and more about the growth taking place in you.
This post could not have been more timely. God is taking me though a transforming process learning to live in Him alone and be content in all things. Thank you for sharing.
Perfect for right now!! As usual! 🙂 Thank you!
Wow so relevant. God has clearly said over the past month that he is going to take me out of my comfort zone and through your words has shown me what I am holding on to that I need to toss. Thank you
Aren’t you thankful for clarity, even when it’s hard?
Since September 19 that I discovered your blog through proverb 31,my life has not been the same. Thanks for making your self available for God. Thanks also for today’s post. I pray I will come out from my comfort zone. God bless you.
Tony, thank you so much. Thank you for being a part of this community!
This post is so right on for me at this time oh I so thank you for sharing God has been dealing with me about some things…. yes yes yes
I guess we should be thankful for the stretch, yes? You are right, it does bring freedom…thanks Suzi- love you!
Thanks, Shannon!
Usually, when I “don’t want to hear” a post, it is because I really need to hear that particular post, and it’s hard to do so. I know I have been wallowing. Not moving on. Not being productive. Not living a life that shines with pride. It’s way past time to stretch, which is going to make it all the more difficult but not stretching will only result in an eventual loss to do so. Thanks for the kick in my unstretched butt!
Hi Shelly, it sounds like you and God have been talking and I love that you are listening clearly. You are so right. When we don’t stretch, we become inflexible — whether that is in the natural, emotionally, or spiritually. Thanks for sharing this. I’m cheering you on!
This is such a good word, Suzie. There are so many times when it’s more comfortable to stay warm and cozy as we are than to STRETCH toward what God has. I think I”m taking your post as encouragement to let go of this “poor, tired me with so much to do while my husband’s gone 12 days” syndrome and embrace the opportunity to be stretched by God!