Patti, a friend from my moms’ group, is moving. This week someone asked her what her biggest concern is about the move.
Without hesitation she replied, “Comfort. People keep telling me I’m moving to a great place: The schools are solid, the quality of life is terrific. It sounds attractive, but I don’t want to find my security in comfort. I want my security to rest in God.”
I’m sure going to miss this wise woman. Though we all yearn for the “sweet spot” where life runs smoothly, Patti’s right: Earthly comfort can lull us into forgetting our need of God. Being able to control or influence so many aspects of life can distort our perspective. We become accustomed tweaking life so that it’s easier—and then expect faith to be convenient, too.
This leads us to some strange conclusions, like thinking that the reason God’s not stirring our hearts is because the worship music’s not right, or that our prayers are flat because we need a better space for quiet time. As if God only had access to our hearts when circumstances are exactly right.
So as I pray for Patti and her move, I also pray that the Holy Spirit will move my heart away from its attachment to the comforts of this world. For I do love it when life is easy. But I love God more.