A comfort zone

I don’t think that this is how the conversation went, but I have often wondered if it may have gone something like this. Jesus: "Lower your nets off this side of the boat." Peter: "But, but, we have always lowered them over this side. We’ve always done it this way."

Were these fishermen in a comfort zone, and did they struggle with stepping out of that comfort zone when Jesus asked them to? The scripture clearly states that they didn’t, "but at your command I will lower the nets." Living in today’s society, I strongly believe that we often find ourselves in a comfort zone and quite often we resist change when we are faced with it. I believe that our young people deal with the same thing, as they too have set routines in their lives.

Quite often when routines are challenged we put up a certain amount of resistance. For myself this is true. I am very organized and structured, but when the organization and structure gets challenged, I can become very stressed and put up a certain amount of resistance. I am learning to work through it without the stress and resistance, but at times, it does take a little more time to work through and a lot of patience from people working with me.

As I write this column, my sense is that many of you may be relating to what I have just written. If this is the case, then I ask that you offer to the diocese one thing. Take a giant step from a routine or comfort zone that you may be living in, and work with our youth, inviting them to do the same.

We all live busy lives and I realize that much of our routine and comfort zone stems from this business. I also know that as busy as we are, we must continue to seek transformation, striving to grow and change. Thus I ask that you prayerfully consider stepping out of your comfort zone and through this decide to do something extra for our young people. This could be choosing to become involved in our TEC (Teens Encounter Christ) movement, or choosing to bring a group of youth to the annual high school rally in March, or deciding to serve as a Camp Counselor at one of our summer camps. Or it may mean taking the step to sincerely work with the young people, encouraging them and helping them become involved in these things. In all sincerity, I believe that our young people want to get involved and participate in these things. All they need are adults who are willing to walk this journey with them. All they need are adults willing to take a risk and step out of a comfort zone.

Yes, all of these things require time and commitment. They require us to say no to something else and yes to our youth. And yes, it requires a sacrifice not only from ourselves but our families as well. I realize that in some cases this is not possible. But when Jesus asked them to once again lower their nets, it required that several people make a sacrifice, and look at the miracle that followed.

Could your sacrifice, your willingness to take this step, bring about a miracle for our youth? We don’t know, but are we willing to trust in Jesus as the disciples did and say yes?

Thank you for responding to the call!