What’s on my mind this afternoon? Getting Uncomfortable! Notice, I didn’t say “being” uncomfortable. It’s a subtle difference, but the former implies a choice or decision has been made. Perhaps the greatest hindrance to making positive (and important) changes in our lives has to do with our willingness or unwillingness to get uncomfortable.
One of my favorite scripture passages is Proverbs 27:17 “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” At first glance, it reminds me of how important a close friend is - someone who helps me grow in various ways. Then, I begin to notice the challenge of it all, perhaps even the pain that comes with growth. If I’m going to participate in the sharpening experience, I’m thinking there’s gonna be some discomfort involved. Right?!
I’ve been on a journey of transition (and transformation) these past 24 months and for most of it, I’ve been out of my comfort zone. Initially, I had to unravel myself from 26 years of ministry. I’m guessing I’m not alone, as I’ve known many people who switched vocational callings along the way, or retired, and there was a period of undoing or unraveling - a way of letting go of whatever was still clinging to us as we moved forward. The biggest piece to unravel was my identity being wrapped up in music ministry. I had to get back to being me - just me.
In doing that, I had to learn how to get uncomfortable. I’m quite familiar with the idea of growth happening in the space of discomfort. As a singer, if I want to extend my range, I’m going to have to stretch a bit (without pain, of course), but I’m going to need to be willing to free myself of my own expectations in order to find the freedom to “offer” my voice and a few extra pitches as I scan the upper and lower ranges of my voice. They won’t sound great, and they won’t have the richness of other parts of my voice, but if I’m not willing to get uncomfortable (AKA “go there”), my range will stay right where it is.
The same holds true for my body. Today, our coach invited us to get into a frog-like position and pulse back and forth. This position is low to the ground, knees out, inner ankle bones touching the floor, and elbows as close to the body as possible. It’s not comfortable. Not even close. And it doesn’t last forever - just 20 seconds. I can do that! I DID do that! In the scheme of workout life, it wasn’t a big deal, but the coach’s invitation for us to “get uncomfortable” has stayed with me all day.
I’m sure it has resonated with me all day because I’ve been in a “Season of Uncomfortable.” In August, I launched the ministry InsideOut Spiritual Living, with a new website (tracydepue.com), a schedule of offerings for the fall (which has not received the response I’d hoped it would, but that’s OK - I’m learning), and a LOT of new technology to interface with each day. Exciting, but definitely uncomfortable. I’m learning about receiving the help being offered to me, asking for help in discovering how I might offer this ministry in ways that will reach those who need it (which is a HUGE weakness for me - so many years of self-sufficiency), and hearing God continue to invite me deeper and deeper into the shadows of what I can readily see.
Paul Crouch says, “Faith is moving to the edge of all the light you have and then taking one more step.” This week I began driving for Uber (AKA financial reality check!). I love people and I love to drive - the perfect match! It has been fascinating, but it has also put me in an uncomfortable position. You see, I’m an outcome oriented person. I like to know where I’m going, and then weigh the risks in deciding whether or not to say “yes.”
In spending time with God this morning, this is what I heard God say in response to the question about my decision to do this: The Uber driving includes the risk of exposure to possible accidents, it involves the risk of encountering strangers, it involves not knowing where your destination is (truth, you only get directions as an Uber driver)… These are teaching moments. This discomfort you feel is helping you face fears that are about much bigger issues than driving a car. The discomfort is about seeing how you can thrive as you offer yourself without knowing the outcome… It’s helping you expand your ‘range of fear’ by stepping closer and closer to the edge of the light you can still see, and choosing to get uncomfortable anyway.
Sometimes the other person sharpening my iron is God!
In what areas of your life are you being called to get uncomfortable? How close to the edge of the light are you being led to step? Keep the faith, my friends, there is something there that is beyond your imagining! These are the things God really wants to discuss with you. Talk with God, as if with a friend, about those areas of discomfort. Ask what God wants you to know about them. See what God has to say to you. You are being shaped for a purpose - a God-sized purpose! And even though it might involve getting uncomfortable, you can do this! You’re not alone! Love and blessings to you!!