One of the most difficult things I have had to do is give up my plans for God. No, my dreams were not totally out of line: In fact, they were designed for Him. To give up my plans for a nobler cause is easy. To change my already-noble plans -- not so much.
But something struck me this week. I was so willing to be a missionary - an English teacher, a medical missionary trainer, a midwife, a doula. I was ready to take on canvassing religious literature or going house-to-house to give Bible studies. And I may yet be able to. But those are in my comfort zone.
When God calls us, He draws us out of our comfort zone. Why? So that we can become more balanced and well-rounded. So that we can develop traits of character that would never have been exercised otherwise. So that we can see ugly qualities and begin to get rid of them.
My comfort zone is the adventurous - not the ordinary and the mundane. I need excitement, danger, activity. Not an office job. But that may just happen.
You know what, though: it has always turned out alright. Let me explain. I am a humanities girl: history, literature, creative writing, art. I thrive in that environment. And even in choosing the less artsy field of journalism, I have found my edge in photojournalism, infographics, and feature articles.
But nearly two years ago, God asked me to take a medical missionary course. Science? If anyone knows me well, they know that I am not a science fanatic. I love laboratory exercises - but in chemistry, not bio. And I never did pass physics. (Thankfully, my course avoids that!) Most of all -- I never wanted to become a doctor or anything that looked like one. Clinical science was not for me.
But as I work through my course in between chores, accounting, curriculum planning, and tutoring, I have realized something horrifying: I love medicine now! :-) And you know what: I might just consider the doctor think. Maybe -- just maybe -- God knows me better than I know myself.
And if He knows that I will grow more in a traditional job than in a radical one, so be it; because at the end of the day, I want to reflect His image and be His child. So Gabby, get ready to step outside your comfort zone.