I was working out with Jason, my trainer, lying on my back on a workout bench. 
Gripping a single 20 pound weight with both hands, I held it above my face with straight, outstretched arms. My task was to slowly lower the weight behind my head and bring it back up – three sets of fifteen. As I fought to keep my shoulders in their sockets, I told Jason of my fear of hurting myself. He said “Just do what’s comfortable.” I laughed as I told him “What’s comfortable is sitting on my couch.”

I work out because its good for me, not because it is comfortable. Physical exercise helps me grow stronger, more equipped for the physical challenges that I may face, but I only grow in strength and ability when I push myself (with Jason’s help and encouragement) way past what is easy.

This blog was born out of seeking God in prayer. I was asking what God wants me to do to honor Lent this year. In my spirit I heard God say “Write a blog.” Though writing, in general, is one of the ways I enjoy serving God, for several reasons there was absolutely nothing in me that wanted to write a blog. To make it even more challenging, I believe God is asking me to write about things that I have not yet even learned. It is as though I’m walking on an unknown path, with a small flashlight illuminating nothing but my very next step – I don’t even know my destination.  I don’t know how often I will write, or what it will be about. I’m just a regular person who wants to live my life seeking God, and who isn’t always very good at it, and now is going to do it somewhat publicly. This is a little uncomfortable…

…ok, its extremely uncomfortable. It feels vulnerable and scary. But I want to grow as a disciple, a devoted follower, of Jesus. I want to know him more, trust him more, and grow to be more like him – loving, forgiving, gracious, courageous, and wanting nothing more than to serve and please my Father.  As with physically strengthening myself, to grow spiritually I must push beyond what is comfortable.

Thankfully I don’t do this alone. In my life with Jesus, I’ve found him to truly be the one “who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us” (Ephesians 3:20). Though it is indeed uncomfortable in many ways, I am trusting that God is at work within me, and that he is leading this disciple…so I will follow.  You are welcome to come along!