COMFORT ZONE

1 John 5:1-5, Matthew 25:31-46

Good Morning. Just so you know, I am completely out of my comfort zone right now. My husband has the car parked out back, engine running, in case I need to run. However, I will stay so he doesn't come up here and take over the sermon. That man should NOT have a microphone and a captive audience. It would be the perfect storm.

In the Gospel lesson today from Matthew, it talks about goats and sheep. Unlike most analogies...this time you want to be the sheep. The sheep are the ones who, "when I was hungry you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me." The goats were the ones who said, "Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?" They didn't see those who needed help or who were worth helping.

So how do we become sheep? The answer sounds quite simple, go out and help those who need it. But let's face it, it's easier said than done. It's not easy for most of us to befriend a stranger, let alone care for and feed those less fortunate or go to a prison and befriend an inmate. For most people, those things are outside of our normal day to day lives. But it doesn't have to be that complicated. It's good to have someplace you feel safe but we grow as individuals by reaching past that once in a while.

When you hear the often-overused phrase of "getting outside your comfort zone"--and I apologize for being guilty of overusing that phrase today--we see images of adventurers climbing the tallest peaks, or extreme athletes competing in some of the most forbidden terrain. But we also see physicians and volunteers in the poorest and sometimes most dangerous areas trying to be sheep, caring for God's flock.

So how do you move outside your comfort zone? For some people their comfort zone is themselves. Start with your family and friends. Strive to be a better spouse, a more attentive parent, a more caring sibling, be the caretaker your parents may need. Be there for your friends, be a sympathetic ear when needed without judgment.

This winter I had a bad case of pneumonia and was laid up for several weeks. I was so sick that I didn't care if things were falling through the cracks. I felt so blessed and so loved by my church family for all the support and meals supplied. It meant so much to me that people were willing to take time out of their busy lives to make a meal for my family. It may not have seemed like a big deal to those who did it but it meant the world to me. When we do something for someone else it may not feel like it's a big deal or anything special BUT to the person you are helping it is making a big impact.

If your comfort zone is your family and friends, then start with your community or church. Volunteer at your local animal shelter or help out with your time or talent at a Nursing Home. Volunteer to teach Sunday school or volunteer with the LOGOS program. Come to Create and Relate and make an item to donate to a charity. Help with fundraising efforts, such as FROLICS. About a month ago, I attended one of the Worship In a New Key services and heard a very moving testimonial from Aaron Wright. Aaron is a senior in High School and volunteers with the Junior High Group. He talked about working with the Junior High kids and how much he loved it and how much HE got out of it. Helping others has helped him. He hoped to be a mentor for them like Peter Billings has been to him. I think Aaron is already an inspiration to many more than he realizes, including my four kids.

For those whose comfort zone is community and church, look outside of our community. Start with one of the many missions our church is already a part of. Or start your own. We all have gifts to give of time, talent, money or compassion and there are always those in need of some or all of those gifts.

We can use those difficult times in our lives to our advantage. Our difficulties give us a greater understanding and empathy for others in similar situations. One of my children had a very difficult year last year with anxiety and depression, as many of you know. As difficult and as painful as that all was, I feel I am in a unique position to offer support to someone else who may be going through some similar situation now or in the future. It has forever changed me and how I look at the world. And I feel I would be remiss to not use that experience to possibly help someone else.

You can also use your talents. What are you good at? Find a way to use what you already know to help others.

I'm not trying to make anyone feel guilty for not doing more, because we all feel enough guilt for so many things, but instead trying to inspire you to reach out and step outside your comfort zone.

I want to end with a prayer I found which can be a great reminder to us all. The last two lines especially.

Heavenly Father,

Help us remember that the jerk who cut us off in traffic last night is a single mother who worked nine hours that day and is rushing home to cook dinner, help with homework, do the laundry and spend a few precious moments with her children.

Help us to remember that the pierced, tattooed, disinterested young man who can't make change correctly is a worried 19-year-old college student, balancing his apprehension over final exams with his fear of not getting his student loans for next semester.

Remind us, Lord, that the scary-looking bum, begging for money in the same spot every day, who really ought to get a job, is a slave to addictions that we can only imagine in our worst nightmares.

Help us to remember that the old couple walking annoyingly slow through the store aisles and blocking our shopping progress are savoring this moment, knowing that, based on the biopsy report she got back last week, this will be the last year that they go shopping together.

Heavenly Father, remind us each day that, of all the gifts you give us, the greatest gift is love. It is not enough to share that love with those we hold dear. Open our hearts not to just those who are close to us, but to all humanity. Let us be slow to judge and quick to forgive, show patience, empathy and love. Amen.

 

May 17, 2009
Deacon Sunday

Deacon Lori Pawar

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