Don’t Settle!

June 30, 2022

Don’t Settle!

Several people have asked if we are settled into our new home.  Well, there are still contractors working in the house, some of our things are in the garage, some of our things are in the basement, and some of our things are who knows where.

We are not settled into our new home!

But, I am not sure my goal is to be “settled in.”  I don’t want to be too comfortable; it sounds a little bit like being complacent.  And, complacent is not how Jesus has wired me.

I fear too many Christ-followers have become a little too comfortable and maybe even a bit too complacent in their life with Christ.  I can’t seem to find much evidence that the life of holiness to which we are called is an invitation to be either comfortable or complacent.

At the same time, we are not to be anxious and worried and fearful.  In Philippians 4:6 the Apostle Paul encourages the Christ-followers in Philippi; “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”  The invitation is to trust where Jesus is leading.

In another letter to the churches in Galatia, Paul reminds us that peace is a fruit the Holy Spirit produces in us.  In Galatians 5:22-23 Paul writes; “…the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” 

Peace is not the same as being too comfortable or too complacent.  I am not called to settle in and I am not sure you are either.

I have spent almost all of my adult life as an “itinerant” preacher.  That means I was supposed to be always prepared to move if that is what the Bishop asked of me.  In other words, I was not called to “settle in” as much as I was called to “serve for a season.”

That’s how I see the life of holiness to which we are called as Christ-followers.  Not too comfortable, not too complacent, and not too settled in.  We are called to go where the Spirit leads and serve the people Jesus asks us to serve.

Living a life of holiness does not mean being always anxious.  Being filled with the Spirit’s fruit of peace does not mean being complacent.  You and I can know the Spirit’s gift of peace without being anxious and afraid or complacent and content.

Although we are confident the Spirit is leading us on the path that is best for us in this season of life, we are not settled in our new home.  In a like manner, we are not settled in our spiritual life because we believe Jesus is leading us on a path that takes us closer to His heart. 

I pray we know the Spirit’s gift of peace but never become complacent in our relationship with Jesus.  I am confident that when the Spirit’s gift of peace fills us, we will move out of our comfort zone to go deeper in the life of holiness. 

When we trust and obey Jesus rather than settle in, the Spirit will fill our hearts with great joy and delight.

Take Delight In The Lord!                             

Doug