Uncomfortable Comfort
March 5th, 2018
Summer of 2017, my family and I took a step of faith to experience Fusion Church in New Jersey, after being invited by my mentor of many years.
Fusion Church is not just an ordinary church. In fact, Fusion is the exact opposite of ordinary.
In 1 timothy, Paul, while imprisoned, is teaching Timothy what it means to be a leader and a disciple when you step through the doors of church, and when you go out into the world. While reading 1 Timothy 1:8-11, I learned that the church should be a haven for the broken.
Abigail Van Buren once said, “The church is not a museum from good people, but rather a hospital for the broken.”
Fusion demonstrates exactly what Paul had instructed for Timothy...Fusion is a haven. Fusion is a home. My family stepped foot in Fusion that sunday morning longing for breakthrough. Longing for God to shift things around the way He had planned for them to be. To be honest, we had no idea what to expect. It was a new environment, but one God wanted us to be in.
Being known for their worship, I had the opportunity to experience it that sunday as Abby Pease led worship. The atmosphere was completely antithetic. The presence of God filled that room faster than i've ever felt. The worship at Fusion reflects disciples who are fearless of the presence of the Holy Spirit. Who refuse to let their spiritual gifts go to waste. Who willingly come to church every week to worship the Heavenly Father. Who sing for His glory. And although they may not realize it, they augment breakthrough by their character being leaders within the church who encourage people to have an encounter with The Lord.
When you walk in those doors, there are populace, like Jamie Dellas and the people she impacts, who are inspired by her character to create community. Community like you couldn't even imagine. The relationships are beautiful to watch when coming in those doors. I could go on and on, in so much depth about the leadership, the community, the willingness, etc.
But I want to share with you a specific way in which I’ve seen God evident in my life. There is a desideratum in my heart to have an excellent prayer life. I love prayer. I always have, so I filled out the application to be on the prayer team. A week later, I was asked to serve in the children's ministry. I had absolutely no conation to teach 4th graders. So I told Pastor Tom that I would think about it and pray over it, but I kind of threw it off to the side. Serving in the children's ministry really did not interest me at all.
2 Timothy 3:14-15 “You,however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation which is in Christ Jesus” NASB
God spoke to me through that verse. Teaching kids about Jesus is vital. It is both an opportunity and a responsibility.
Although I had no desire to teach in the children's ministry, God had a desire for me to be there. So I made the decision to serve in kids, and let me tell you there is not a day I regret my decision to be obedient to His calling. See, I was uncomfortable but God made me comfortable. Uncomfortable comfort...Not only do I feel like I am meant to be in that room, but I am extremely blessed by the way God is moving through this young generation.
I’m sharing this, because I learned so much through this process of serving at Fusion. God’s calling does not have to comfortable or convenient.
Galatians 5:19 “For you were called to freedom brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” NASB
Personally, Bryon has taught me that in order to grow as a teacher, I need to be able to break it down to the lowest point before It can be transformed into a more arduous message.
See there will be time in our lives where God plants a seed, and as we grow, we may face adversity from storms and people stepping on us and the mundane things of life, but He has a plan and we have to trust that. Growing is not always comfortable, but it happens.
Allow me to propose a question that I’ve found myself battle with:
Are you planting yourself in the proper foundation that will allow you to fearlessly grow in the calling that God has over your life? Are you willing to go wherever He calls? (Mark 6)
Fusion Church is not just an ordinary church. In fact, Fusion is the exact opposite of ordinary.
In 1 timothy, Paul, while imprisoned, is teaching Timothy what it means to be a leader and a disciple when you step through the doors of church, and when you go out into the world. While reading 1 Timothy 1:8-11, I learned that the church should be a haven for the broken.
Abigail Van Buren once said, “The church is not a museum from good people, but rather a hospital for the broken.”
Fusion demonstrates exactly what Paul had instructed for Timothy...Fusion is a haven. Fusion is a home. My family stepped foot in Fusion that sunday morning longing for breakthrough. Longing for God to shift things around the way He had planned for them to be. To be honest, we had no idea what to expect. It was a new environment, but one God wanted us to be in.
Being known for their worship, I had the opportunity to experience it that sunday as Abby Pease led worship. The atmosphere was completely antithetic. The presence of God filled that room faster than i've ever felt. The worship at Fusion reflects disciples who are fearless of the presence of the Holy Spirit. Who refuse to let their spiritual gifts go to waste. Who willingly come to church every week to worship the Heavenly Father. Who sing for His glory. And although they may not realize it, they augment breakthrough by their character being leaders within the church who encourage people to have an encounter with The Lord.
When you walk in those doors, there are populace, like Jamie Dellas and the people she impacts, who are inspired by her character to create community. Community like you couldn't even imagine. The relationships are beautiful to watch when coming in those doors. I could go on and on, in so much depth about the leadership, the community, the willingness, etc.
But I want to share with you a specific way in which I’ve seen God evident in my life. There is a desideratum in my heart to have an excellent prayer life. I love prayer. I always have, so I filled out the application to be on the prayer team. A week later, I was asked to serve in the children's ministry. I had absolutely no conation to teach 4th graders. So I told Pastor Tom that I would think about it and pray over it, but I kind of threw it off to the side. Serving in the children's ministry really did not interest me at all.
2 Timothy 3:14-15 “You,however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation which is in Christ Jesus” NASB
God spoke to me through that verse. Teaching kids about Jesus is vital. It is both an opportunity and a responsibility.
Although I had no desire to teach in the children's ministry, God had a desire for me to be there. So I made the decision to serve in kids, and let me tell you there is not a day I regret my decision to be obedient to His calling. See, I was uncomfortable but God made me comfortable. Uncomfortable comfort...Not only do I feel like I am meant to be in that room, but I am extremely blessed by the way God is moving through this young generation.
I’m sharing this, because I learned so much through this process of serving at Fusion. God’s calling does not have to comfortable or convenient.
Galatians 5:19 “For you were called to freedom brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” NASB
Personally, Bryon has taught me that in order to grow as a teacher, I need to be able to break it down to the lowest point before It can be transformed into a more arduous message.
See there will be time in our lives where God plants a seed, and as we grow, we may face adversity from storms and people stepping on us and the mundane things of life, but He has a plan and we have to trust that. Growing is not always comfortable, but it happens.
Allow me to propose a question that I’ve found myself battle with:
Are you planting yourself in the proper foundation that will allow you to fearlessly grow in the calling that God has over your life? Are you willing to go wherever He calls? (Mark 6)
