As followers of Christ we have been called to a life of getting outside of comfort zones. But as human society we are told to remain comfortable and to stay within the parameters of normalcy. In his book Kingdom Journeys: Rediscovering the Lost Spiritual Discipline, Seth Barnes poses this thought, "If we never get out of our comfort zones, we can't grow into the places God has prepared for us." It can be an intimidating thought, but really it's simple. If we want to experience all that God has for us we have to be willing to step outside of ourselves.
The Tampa Bay area of Florida would be a great place for your youth group to push the envelop and experience life outside of comfort zones.
In some ways it's harder to go to a domestic location and be vulnerable enough to get outside of ourselves. Overseas we look so different from the people we are ministering to and we speak a different language and live in totally different situations. But going somewhere within our own country, meeting people who look like you and talk like you and are in very similar situations that you are in isn't always easy. You can't be the crazy foreigner in your own country. It can be scary to speak into lives that resemble your life and interact with people who know exactly what you are saying. But, that can be where God uses you the most. I challenge you to take a trip right around the corner and minister to a people who need the love of The Father just as much as the the people in far off lands.
To sign up your youth group for a trip to Tampa Bay click here.
