Lightly browned, white skin; sun-kissed blonde hair; and a foreign tongue, left me highly visible as I strolled down the aisle of India Air flight 627. Completely out of my comfort zone and fully awake. All my senses were on high alert. We had been in transit for around 30 plus hours on a variety of airlines and in airports across Asia. My stomach decided it was done being silent about it’s statues and like a lion, decided to loudly tell the world of the intensity of its hunger.
Pulling out my Visa card, I order a “Cup-O-Noodles”. Taking one look at the card, the stewardess smiles, hands me the card back and states how sorry she is that they don’t have a card reader which accepts this chipped card. The cabin seems to instantly grow silent except for the whir of the engines. Uncomfortable sideways glances are being exchanged between the Indian passengers. I am completely aware of my “Outsider” status. This last leg of the journey is only a 90 minute flight. I try to ignore the raging, grumbling monster that is currently residing in my tummy. Reminding my Maker that He has chosen this journey for me, I whisper my request to His ears. Allowing my eyelids to close, like an exhausted puppy, I am instantly asleep. Startled back to reality, there is a dark-brown hand reaching through the seat to me offering a bottle of water, a huge smile, and expensive nuts. Moments later, the stewardess returns after completing her rounds and offers me a Cup-O-Noodles for free. The generosity of strangers is overwhelming. It is just another reminder that He has an untangled view of my life and He hears our requests. Let me be clear about something though, even if the water, nuts, and Cup-O-Noodles had not arrived, the peace He provided when I took my request to Him allowed me to fall asleep and I knew that He heard me.
Sometimes the deliverance I need most is the deliverance (rescue) from my own comfort zone. Here is the deal with comfort zones, they keep your life small and confined. They keep you safely behind imaginary walls with unfounded fears. It took a global trip to make me realize that my comfort zone was like an invisible prison When we trust His untangled view and take a step toward what He is asking us to do, we become free to be His extremities to this world.
I would love it if you would join me on this adventure of leaving our comfort zones behind. What is it that you were created to do, as His hands and feet, to bring the love of Jesus to this world? What is in your hands? Today, ask Him to rescue you from your comfort zone and join me in using what’s in your hands to be His extremities to this broken and hurting world.
Until We Chat Again, Crystal
I am your God and will take care of you until you are old and your hair is gray. I made you and will care for you; I will give you help and rescue you. - Isaiah 46:4
