A few weeks ago, it got really cold outside. I thought perhaps if I curtained off the door to the inner porch it would make the house warmer. It did in fact add warmth to the house, but it also cut out a lot of light coming in. After a few days, I decided to remove the curtain. I preferred the light to the warmth.
That little incident got me to thinking, “So how does this apply to our lives?” Do we in fact, prefer illumination to comfort or is it usually the other way around? After pondering it a bit, I thought, “I bet we usually prefer comfort to illumination.” Do you think that is true?
Is it much easier to hang out with people who think like we do, watch newscasts that support our point of view, and read magazines and articles that confirm our pre-existing ideas? I think it is. It usually takes effort to spend time with those that think differently than we do, read books that challenge our thinking, or watch another news channel. Do we want to remain in the orbit of those that are similar to us or are we willing to move out of that orbit and seek to understand others that are different than ourselves?
I’ve been asking myself those questions and I don’t like the answers I am getting. I am going to have to be intentional if I want to expose myself to those who think differently than I do. If I do that, then perhaps, I will have a better understanding of others and also the world around me.
Valerie Cullers 
You raise an interesting question. I can’t answer this question very well, either, but I hope people wouldn’t avoid me simply because they don’t share my views, provided I am respectful and easy to get along with! Don’t you agree?
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Yes, I agree completely! We need to get out of our comfort zones and be the kind of people that others want to talk to! Thank you for taking the time to read the post! Blessings!
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Hmmm. Im already avoided for my views, no docile wife and relative i am. I wish they’d just give me a chance but no im avoided despite being respectful of them… Just another viewpoint Val.
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Yes, I truly understand. I am not one to sit back and let people say ridiculous hateful things. I am not always appreciated either. It is the price you pay for being a thinking feeling person. I can live with that!
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Great questions! We definitely grow in new ways when engaging people who are different from us. I like the little light bulb guy too. Blessings!
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So glad it made you think! Blessings!
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Good question! I think we grow by being around people that think differently than us. They can be inspiring if they are the right kind of person.
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I love comfort! But I hate that I love comfort, and every day I try to “fast” from one of the things that makes me too comfortable just to practice clearing out my heart to make room for God. Excellent post. I love this analogy!
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Wow…you ARE intentional about it! We all need to be aware of how addicted we are to comfort! Thanks for your insight! ❤ ❤ ❤
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And I adore the lightbulb guy too!!
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🙂 🙂 🙂
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Great post of the day!
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Reblogged this on By the Mighty Mumford and commented:
WHAT GOD ILLUMINES, WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH—WITH HIS HELP!
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Thank you so much for the reblog! Blessings!
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I think we can become ‘comfortably numb’ (great song) and much too quickly in all aspects of our lives – it’s dangerous.
Sorry to bring politics into this but I see people in my country doing just that and allowing politicians to slowly erode civil liberties, to the point that I don’t believe we live in a democratic country anymore. Australia is such a different country to 20 or 30 years ago – I’m starting to say what my parents used to say when they were alive.
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Yes, I totally agree with you! There is a push towards globalism that is trying to erode the civil liberties of the individual and the national liberties of each country. I am just becoming aware of it.
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Ive learned to live with it and now make no apologies for my personality.
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Yeah, I think it applies to me – and probaly to most of us.
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Valerie, as always your articles force me to use the ole noggin and I LOVE it. This is what I so love about your writings and why I really enjoy sharing them with my followers. Aside from offering a “Christian” view on topics you provide us with an interesting overall view on topics. Please keep up the GREAT work. Your loyal follower.
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Thank you for your kindness. I am so glad that you appreciate it. The Lord gives me the ideas and I write them down!
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