#7 "But it's Comfy"

Have you ever gotten comfy on the couch, to the point where you don’t want to get up. Maybe you’re watching a movie, playing a game, or simply stuck in the dreaded “doom scroll.” Whatever it is, you might think to yourself “man, I don’t want to get up, I’m just so comfortable!” Or maybe you’re already up, and you’re looking back, thinking “I shouldn’t have left that glorious place of comfort.” 

I used to hear stories of the Israelites griping in the desert, complaining against God for this, that and the other. More than once, they said they would rather go back to slavery. 

SLAVERY! 

Let that sink in for a second. They’d rather be back, working long hours in poor conditions (including beatings) than wander the desert with the hope of finding the promised land. 

I used to think this was crazy talk. That is, until I experienced it for myself. I know I’m on my way to the dream career, but I had such a cozy life in my coddled office cubicle. Working some fairly reasonable hours with a commute that wasn’t half-bad. On days where my spirit cracks, I can’t help but let the thought pass through me: 

“I had it so good back then.” 

So what is it that gets us up? What keeps us up? Why would we ever leave comfort if it’s so gosh-darn cozy? Here’s the thing about comfort: it’s an escape. It’s a refuge from the trials and turbulences that come with real living. But that’s not a bad thing. In fact, that’s what it was designed for! But I think the call of reality is on each and every one of our hearts. Deep down, we all know what’s going on in our lives, and how they ought to be going. And the more we try to replace the call to live that life with comfort, the less of a friend comfort will be. 

I have had a jacked up week. Monday, I sunburned my face working on the roof. Tuesday I suffered through the effects, and today I sweat my sunscreen into my eyes. This week has been anything but fun, but it got me thinking: why am I still keen on committing to this? Because I know I ought to be on a career path, and this is the one I really wanted. The reality of my economic status can outrun any comforts that I try to fill my life with, and I can no longer avoid this fact. 

And here’s the thing: comfort is a thousand times sweeter when it’s earned. Not only from a hard day’s work, but from knowing you have made something of yourself. Do you remember what it was like when you first got your driver’s license? You probably practiced for months before you went to take the test. You maybe even failed a few times. But do you remember how your life felt changed after you passed? Sure, there was the momentary excitement, the hoopla, the party that was thrown because of your hard work. But beyond those was the pivot. Your life was forever changed because now you could go anywhere and do anything. Suddenly, you had the means! That’s the type of change I am talking about. That type of pivot is what is at stake here. 

So maybe take some time to let go of the comforts. Find out what’s hiding beneath that surface. What big thing have you been putting off? Or maybe your big thing is to find your big thing. Maybe you’ve been drowning in comfort for so long that it’s all you know. Search within and see  what about your real life you need to work on. It will be challenging, but the reward will be so much better than seeking comfort first. 

I pray you find the courage, the strength, and the heart to find your way up off your couch and into the arms of reality. That the world, formidable as it may be, finds you to be even more formidable. I pray that you find the grit to persevere, and the heart to get up and do it again and again until you have come to that place of satisfaction. 

Until next time

May peace be your guide.