comfort zones

You know, I was just thinking about something this morning. We as Americans have a lot to be thankful for and a lot to be appreciative for. We have nice homes to live in, nice cars, clothes, any kind of restaurant you can think of. We are one of the riches countries in the world with a lot to offer, we have good schools and universities you can learn in, etc... The reason why I wanted to write about this is because America is a comfort zone. Yes our country is not doing too well because of the economy and jobs are diminishing, but in a lot of ways I think God is trying to teach us something. God calls us to be out of our comfort zone sometimes because if you just stay where you are, and are not in a constant state of change, then you are not growing. Yes, you might gain more wealth if you are to stay where you are working and might get a promotion and yes you might pay off your house if you stay where you are living and all that, but WHY does all of this stuff matter? Why do people put so much emphasis on materialistic things? Yes I mean I do want a good job with good health benefits and a nice house and I do want a masters degree once I finish undergrad in Dec. but eventually all of this stuff will fade, and as this stuff fades, we will begin to fade..... Matthew 6: 19-20 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal." It is as simple as that. As Christians we do not need to put so much emphasis on materialistic things. Yes, you have to live and yes I don't see anything wrong with buying a nice house if you can afford it or play a game of golf like I do on occasion, but have a balance of your life. If you do that and keep God in the center, everything will fall into place. God promises to take care of his children, yes you have to work for it, God won't show you anything until you put forth in effort. But, if you do work hard and you keep Him first, you've got it made. But at the same time, there's nothing wrong with being out of your comfort zone every once in awhile, because it changes your life, it changes your life for the better.... Blessings!

Michael Rom. 12:2