God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what He pleases. —Philippians 2:13
Deep down we all desire comfort. We want to be safe and protected and warm and full. We want the A+ in that philosophy course we haven’t studied in. We want that hot husband who is good with money and loves little dogs. We want that perfect child who obeys and never talks back. Oh yes, we love our comfort bubble.
Oddly enough, I hear people mention desert hermits or cloistered nuns with such confusion and sometimes disdain. Removed. Alone. Separated. Untouched, unreached, unknown. Confused by the notion of why anyone would want to live an isolated life, we stare from afar and wonder how anyone can live so far detached from the world.
But for many of us, isolation equates safety.
We may not build a hut in the dessert or live in the basement with nothing but cans and a can opener, but we spiritually cloister ourselves and stay safe by staying away. No one knows who we are, how we fall short, or where we are broken. We don’t have spiritual conversations, we don’t get involved in ministry, we don’t do anything to make us live openly, honestly, and raw.
Comfort isn’t God’s goal for our life. Changing us into people of great character—someone who is spiritually like His son—is His goal for our lives. Living a life like a spiritual hermit or cloistered nun will not keep us safe. It will retard our spiritual growth and stunt transformation progress.
Where are you alone? Are you living your life out loud? Or are you more concerned about your comfort?
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