We welcomed back Ann Dracott to our meeting which is always a delight.

Ann brought along some visual aids to help set the scene for her talk – a cushion, a mug, a detective novel, a chocolate biscuit and a crossword and pen. It wasn’t difficult for us to see that these items represented comfort and Ann shared how she enjoys settling down in a favourite chair especially as the nights draw in to relax.  It’s a time when she feels at peace and in her comfort zone. We could all identify with this!

But life can become too easy and cosy and Ann told us of a time in her life when God shook her out of her comfort zone.  It was an uncomfortable experience and despite not wanting to do what God asked and seeking a sign that it was God actually speaking, it wasn’t until Ann was obedient to God’s call, will and purpose that she felt at peace. This has happened many times and has always been a struggle.

Ann recounted some examples from the Bible of people who willingly did what God asked – Noah, Abraham, Mary the mother of Jesus, but also those who were hesitant but eventually did – Moses, Gideon and Jonah.

If God wants us to do something, He has promised to be with us – we are not alone and He will equip us to fulfil His purposes.  We just need to be obedient.

Ann encouraged us to be prepared for the Lord to shake us and move us out of our comfort zone.  Life isn’t always cosy, it can be a battlefield at times but we just need to be faithful, to keep our eyes on Jesus and allow Him to use us. We may not see any outcome but that doesn’t matter.

Ann finished with some lovely verses from 2 Corinthians 1 about the God of all comfort:

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,  who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” (Verses 3-4 NIV)

Our real comfort zone is with the Lord doing His will and serving His purposes!