What Does “Comfort” Mean to You?

If you’re like me, you often take a comfortable life for granted. I don’t mean to gloss over any hardships you or your family may be facing – I recognize that illness, financial difficulties, relationship struggles, and any other number of things can sometimes make life quite uncomfortable. However, I do think that for those of us who never have to wonder if we’ll have enough food to eat each day, a safe place to spend our time, and a bed to sleep in each night, we simply don’t think about these basic comforts very often. They’re a given. But what if they weren’t?

Jesus exalted those who faced poverty and hardship: the fewer things one owned, and the more one suffered, the more acutely he or she felt the need for a Savior. And recognizing God’s saving grace in every situation – as one is more apt to do when not distracted by possessions and power – stirs a greater sense of urgency to share that love and grace!
[Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me.” Mark 8:34]

The more we recognize that our time and our treasures are not our own, but God’s, and that they are tools to be used for serving others and connecting them to life in Jesus, the closer we grow to Him.

Here are just a few ways that you can serve others, for whom basic comforts might not be a given:

  • Volunteer at St. Vincent De Paul Food Pantry (svdpmadison.org/food) by hosting pantry clients, or at the Verona Area Needs Network (vanncares.org) or The River Food Pantry on Madison’s east side (riverfoodpantry.org).
  • Get involved with Habitat for Humanity of Dane County, in their mission of “bringing the community together to build homes with God’s people in need”: contact me ([email protected]) or visit habitatdane.org.
  • Pray for God’s comfort – strength, encouragement, and hope – for families on mission with Wycliffe Bible Translators: Don and Pam Leonard in Southeast Asia, and Jon and Marijane Beutler and their sons in Mozambique.

And I’d love to hear from you: What does “comfort” mean to you?

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