One night not long ago, I kept waking up with an unfamiliar three-word phrase on my mind: Purpose over comfort.
I must have awakened five times that night, hearing these words. Over the years, I’ve learned which nighttime dreams and words I should pay attention to and which ones I can ignore. Purpose over comfort was definitely something to ponder.
After noodling over these words for a while, here is what came to me: What we purpose in our hearts to do must be greater than our desire for comfort.
What have you purposed in your heart to do?
Have you purposed to be physically healthy? This purpose of health must be greater than your desire for comfort. Comfort will lead you to stay home on the couch with a bag of chips and a can of soda.
Have you purposed to get rid of bad habits and move past addictions?
Your purpose of laying aside what hinders you must be greater than the comfort those familiar things offer. Your purpose will require you to say no, to put something down, to walk away, and to find support.
Have you purposed to have stronger relationships with your spouse or children or friend? Your purpose to connect with them must be greater than your desire to keep things as status quo. Yes, you’ll have to turn off the television and go on a date with your spouse. You’ll have to have a conversation and interact with your children or that friend.
Have you purposed to know Christ? Then your purpose to know Him must lead you to pick up His Word, study it, apply it, and step out in faith, trusting in it. God’s truths won’t just jump into your heart.
Have you purposed to make Christ known? Then your purpose must lead you to step out, open your mouth, share your faith, and to love others.
Achieving your purpose will never be comfortable. It will never be easy. It will require you (and me) to do things that frankly, sometimes we just wish we didn’t have to.
For 35 years, I purposed to be a champion water skier. This purpose pushed me past comfort every time. I can’t tell you how many times I had to drag myself to the water-ski dock and force myself into the water. It truly was mind over matter. Why did I do it? Because I knew that I would never achieve my purpose of being the best I could be if I stayed on the dock. Victory never happens on the dock!
Friend, there is so much victory waiting for you. But victory never happens in the realm of comfort. It happens in the realm of purpose.
It’s time to do what it takes. No more excuses. No more comfort. Comfort is for couch potatoes, and who ever heard of a couch potato accomplishing anything good?
It’s time to ask yourself what you really want in life. Do you want the same-old-same-old? No? Then it’s time for a change.
Get a mental picture of your purpose, then take steps to accomplish it. Refuse to let what’s familiar keep you from moving into the health and adventure that God desires for you.
Remember: purpose over comfort. Live by this motto, and you’ll never go wrong.
