So God has really been hitting me with themes lately. Last week I told y’all about the attitude of worship that God convicted me—and kind of challenged me—to have. (See heart of worship if you missed it).

Since that time, I’ve been genuinely trying to have that attitude and look for the little things that God’s constantly having His hand in. If you haven’t tried to have this worship lifestyle, you need to. It’s awesome. You’ll be amazed at how He shifts the “little things” to encourage you, make you smile and comfort you—all at the most perfect time. I’m almost tempted to dare you and “nanny-nanny-boo-boo” you until you try it. Too bad that’s not a Jesus tactic…

The past week has been a gentle barrage of one message. I’ve repeatedly found myself wanting to serve God and being engaged in conversations about service. I genuinely enjoy serving others, which makes the last few months feel a little off.

I didn’t realize what was causing this displaced feeling until two days ago. While on the church search, I haven’t been actively serving others. The entire process of vetting churches, listing the pros and cons and actively searching for a church home is presently necessary, but it leaves a huge emptiness where loving others through service used to be filled.

My sister’s boyfriend is actually the person who helped me figure this all out. That’s right, y’all. Bradtastic (the sister’s bf) was used by God.

How, you ask? It went a little something like this:

After a socially exhausting, but wonderful, day, I return home at 9 p.m. As my inner chubster is full-on chubbing out on a Chick-fil-A fried delight, I get a text. Keep in mind that I’m planning on being at my parent’s home the coming weekend, thus attending my home church.

Bradtastic: Hey Mags. So…since you bailed on us in Bham this weekend…can you teach [Sunday School] for me Sunday morning?? Pleeeeeeeeez!

Me: A. I didn’t know you were for sure coming. B. Bleeeehhh

Bradtastic: Okay. Think (your boyfriend) will? I was thinking about asking him.

Me: You know that was me saying yes. And I don’t think he’s ready for that. He’d be like *insert deer-in-headlights emoji.

So here I am, the new Sunday School teacher for a group of individuals ranging from 18-30ish. You saw what my initial response was. The moment I gave it a second thought, though, I was astonished at how quickly I got excited about the opportunity ol’ Bradtastic had just offered.

I actually enjoy helping others understand concepts and just talking ideas and new truths out. And while my peer group makes me more nervous than any other I could have been teaching, God still made the experience so ridiculously fulfilling. Even if I’m the only person who got anything out of the lesson I taught, it was still worth it.

It’s so easy to automatically say no when people ask you to do things that have the potential for discomfort. Here’s a crazy thought… Get ready… Almost there… Guys, I promise all these ellipses are going to be so worth it…What a funny word, “ellipses”…Did it have anything to do with an eclipse?…Or maybe elliptical?…Language is so interesting…Whoops, hopping off that rabbit trail…

What if we started at least considering the possibility that by automatically saying no, we’re missing the opportunity to be used by God to make a lasting impression on someone’s life?

Now I’m not saying that my teaching one Sunday School lesson transformed a room full of people. Let’s be real. It did, however, change me. Every time we stretch our comfort zone at His prompting, we grow. It may be a millimeter, an inch or a yard, but something changes inside of us. Obedience produces a direct connection with the God of the universe. Isn’t that worth a little discomfort?

“But if you indeed obey His voice and do all that I speak, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries.” Exodus 23:22

Margaret, The Rope Editor