how convenient.

I was on a plane early this morning. As we pulled away from the gate and I was just settling into a worship playlist on my phone, I was hit with the swift movement of the seat in front of me being reclined back. Pain shot through my knee while I quickly moved it to the side to avoid further injury from the comfort-seeking passenger in front of me. After a minute or two and the pain subsiding, the purpose of takeoff and landing procedures came to my mind. This moment certainly gave me more appreciation for why we are all repeatedly asked when on board to “please make sure your seat is in the upright position and your tray table is stowed for takeoff.” If an emergency were to occur, having either the seat reclining within the exit path of the person sitting behind that seat, or a tray table down makes it that much more difficult for someone to quickly exit the plane.

At this point my thoughts quickly turned to, does this person even realize that they are placing their comfort over someone else’s safety?

Do they realize they are actually impeding my path to a quick exit if something were to happen? What if something does happen, and I can’t get up and out of my seat quickly enough because this seat is reclined nearly to my lap?

As immediately as these spiraling thoughts crept in, almost instantaneously I clearly heard the Spirit of God speak and say, do my people even realize they are placing their comfort over others I love so dearly?

Over another – who is uniquely loved by the same God who saved me – and their eternal destiny?

Over the mandate from Christ to go and make disciples?

Over another person’s safety from sin?

Over our calling and purpose expressly given to us individually by our Creator?

After a momentary thought – maybe I should ask this passenger in front of me if they understood they were putting their comfort over my safety, I quickly digressed and leaned into the presence of the Spirit and what He was saying to me. I started to see images in my mind.

              The disruption of an interruption by someone to our schedule.

              The desires of comfort taking precedence over direction or calling from the Lord.

              The convenience of how we choose to live.

Let me be clear – comfort and convenience alone are not the issue here. But when comfort becomes the idol that we prioritize over the clear mandate, or otherwise direction from the one who created us, gave us freedom from sin, sacrificed Himself for our eternal life, and is the only one who can truly provide fulfillment in this life here and now – we are not only at odds with His will and plan, we are standing in the way – instead of standing in the gap – of others who He longs to bring to Himself!

The question is – are we allowing comfort and convenience to rule, distract, or take precedence?

And what are we going to do about it?

Ask the Lord to show you anything that is hindering His work in you and His desire to use you to advance His kingdom.

Hold yourself to accountability by sharing what He reveals with a trusted brother or sister in Christ who can provide encouragement and accountability as you press into what He reveals to you.