Seek discomfort?!
by Pastor Stephen Abraham
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Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it (Matthew 16:24,25).
Read Matthew 16:21–28
My son and I watch a YouTube series called Yes Theory, where the hosts travel to countries/situations that are intentionally uncomfortable: ‘We believe that life’s greatest moments and deepest connections exist outside your comfort zone.’ By their own admission, they find adventure in uncomfortable settings – travelling to impoverished or troubled countries, entering the lives of local people, hearing their stories and helping them. Their motto is ‘Seek discomfort’.
To a degree, I relate to this as a follower of Jesus because it goes against the grain of modern society’s motto, ‘Seek comfort’! We are told to seek comfortable modern homes, comfortable clothes, ‘comfort’ foods, comfortable situations, a comfortable job and a comfortable level of retirement savings. The motivation behind revolutionary technology is often to make life easier and better. Our medicine should magically make our maladies disappear. Our parenting revolves around ‘keeping our kids happy’. And so when discomfort or adversity inevitably arrives, we find ourselves unprepared and annoyed; ‘This wasn’t meant to happen! How dare this happen to me!’
Some of us find vigour in discipline. Many of us don’t (chief among us is myself!). A case in point for me is physical exercise. Growing up on our farm, ‘exercise’ was rounding up sheep and carrying bags of wheat – an uncomfortable task that made me and my dad tired and grumpy! In his words, ‘Why would I want to do physical exercise when I finish work? I do this all day long!’ Nowadays, my medical condition requires me to exercise. I have learnt that I can’t do it alone – I need assistance, reminders and someone to do it with me.
Jesus’ words on discipleship here are an ‘anti-motto’ to our modern way of thinking. They are really shocking: ‘Accept your device of torture and death and follow me.’ They are a reminder that the trappings of this life are an illusion and temporary. Being a disciple means letting go of the power they wield over us, venturing out of our comfort zone and not being surprised by discomfort. But we are not supposed to do this alone. Following Jesus means being with him – and others, as we follow him. Jesus is with you in your discomfort; be with others in their discomfort!
Lord Jesus, help me to let go of the trappings of this world, the ties that bind, and the illusion of this life’s comforts. I lay them at your feet. Lead me in your ways. Be with me in the discomforts I face. Help me to be with others in their discomfort. Amen.
Stephen Abraham is a retired Lutheran pastor and musician who served as a school pastor and church planter in Mawson Lakes, South Australia. Stephen retired early due to a spinal injury, leaving him largely housebound with chronic pain (documented by Lutheran Media on its Messages of Hope YouTube channel and radio program). As his condition allows, Stephen still preaches, takes chapel and serves his local church and school. He also writes and records personal songs, worship songs and Christian meditations, which he shares on his YouTube channel (youtube.com/StephenAbrahamMusic).
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