Acts 17:10-15 NKJV

[10] Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. [11] These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. [12] Therefore, many of them believed, and also not a few of the Greeks, prominent women as well as men. [13] But when the Jews from Thessalonica learned that the word of God was preached by Paul at Berea, they came there also and stirred up the crowds. [14] Then immediately the brethren sent Paul away, to go to the sea; but both Silas and Timothy remained there. [15] So those who conducted Paul brought him to Athens; and receiving a command for Silas and Timothy to come to him with all speed, they departed.

I am a huge fan of familiarity and comfort. I am a homebody. I have a favorite chair. I drink my coffee the same way every day. I do life with "my" people, and I have a relatively small circle. I don't make it a habit of venturing too far from my daily rituals outside of normal business hours. I prefer predictability over unplanned disruptions.

If Paul, Timothy, and Silas had not been obedient to God's calling, I wonder how fast and how far the gospel message would have spread? What would they have missed?... all of the blessings... the adversities... the adventures... all of the experiences God used to grow them individually and the church as a whole. I don't believe one person has the ability to thwart God's plans, but disobedience can definitely cause us to miss out on God's blessings.

All too often, I allow my preferences to get in the way of opportunities. I avoid unfamiliar territory because it isn't in MY plans. I would rather stay where I am than run the risk of being uncomfortable with where I end up.

I have no idea where God plans to take me this year. I don't have a clue what this year holds, but I don't want to be so comfortably stuck in my own ruts that I miss out on the road He wants to lead me down. I like where I am because it is comfortable and familiar. Lord, prepare my heart to be ready to go when You call.