“The decision to grow always involves a choice between risk and comfort. This means that to be a follower of Jesus you must renounce comfort as the ultimate value of your life.” – John Ortberg

This quote from John Ortberg has been messing with me all morning. How much of our lives are spent in an endless pursuit to obtain comfort and security?

The essence of following Christ means that we are called out of comfort. It is no longer the driving force in our lives. Only when we move beyond this insatiable desire to have a comfortable life, and only then, are we able to fully and passionately embrace every risk and adventure that God has purposed for our lives. And only in that sweet spot of risk and adventure do we find ourselves to be everything we were made for.

If we are to become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ, we must come to the uncomfortable engagement with the cross, where we renounce comfort as the ultimate value of our lives.