Comfort Zone

In her youth, the Swallow made a leap of faith when she moved out of her comfort zone in Malaysia to travel to Singapore.  Growing up sheltered and protected, aside from the campfire experience, this was the first time the Swallow had travelled alone.  There were struggles with fear - of the unknown, of the future, of wondering whether it was truly God's will for her.

For each hesitation, each struggle, assurances came when she read God's Word...

Like Abram (later given the name Abraham) in Genesis 12 : 1 (NKJV), "Now the LORD had said to Abram: "Get out of your country, from your family and from your father's house, to a land that I will show you.""

Like Joshua in Joshua 1 : 9 (NKJV), "Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."

Like David who wrote in Psalm 37 : 3 - 5 (NKJV), "Trust in the LORD, and do good; dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.  Delight yourself also in the LORD, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.  Commit your way to the LORD, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass."

Taking hold of the promises from His Word, she set out to explore unknown territories, fully trusting that the Lord God would see her through, come what may.  Till now, He has proven faithful.  He has never failed in His promises.  He has seen and is still seeing the Swallow through each day of her journey.

Two days back, the Swallow was asked to leave her comfort zone again, though it was a relatively smaller kind of leaving.  One would have thought that having made such a major move like the one in her youth, the Swallow would be an old hand at trusting her Lord God.  Sad to say, it was not so...there were the same struggles with fear...

How long before the Swallow has learnt to fully trust her Lord?  How long must He be patient with this child of His?  How long?  How long?

Psalm 103 : 17 - 18 (NIV)
But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD's love is with those who fear Him, and His righteousness with their children's children, with those who keep His covenant and remember to obey His precepts.

The Swallow is truly thankful that her Lord God is so patient with her.  Again and again, for each hesitation, each struggle, assurances came when she read His Word...Joshua 1 : 6a (NKJV), "Be strong and of good courage." and Isaiah 30 : 15c (NIV), "in quietness and trust is your strength."

Where will the Swallow's strength come from?  Where should she place her trust?  While reading His word, a reminder came in the form of the song "My Living Sacrifice" which she had heartily sang in her younger days.

Thus reminded, the Swallow will put her hand in her Saviour's hand, and follow wherever He leads, even if it will be out of her comfort zone.  She will, with her Lord's help, fear Him alone - not the unknown, not the future.  Is it God's will for her this time when she leaves her comfort zone?  She does not truly know, but she knows that her Sovereign Lord is always in control and for that, she will trust in Him, come what may...