A Trip Outside the Comfort Zone

This past week I took a trip outside of of my comfort zone. Friday I had an MRI for my shoulder that I injured a couple of months ago. It hadn't responded to physical therapy, so an MRI was the next step.

For most people that would be no big deal. 20 minutes in a confined space shaped like a coffin - no big deal. But I am a big chicken when it comes to tight, closed in spaces shaped like coffins. I checked on the form they gave me that I was "slightly" claustrophobic. I was "slightly" claustrophobic just thinking about it. Once I was in the "chamber of fear", I began to get outright panicky. I told her I "needed to get out". I seriously thought of walking out right then. After all, I can deal with some pain in my shoulder for the rest of my life.

But here is where the skill and care of the technician kicked in. She acted like my fear was normal and natural. She did a wonderful job of assuring me that everything would be okay. She gave me some helpful tips to alleviate my fear and she walked me through the next 20 minutes step by step.

I know some of you are wondering why your hyper-phobic pastor is sharing this story. But after I was finished with the MRI, it occurred to me that there are some who we invite to our church or who would like to come to our church, who are faced with the same type of fear. (Will I be expected to know what's in the Bible?, Will I be judged for my clothes or my lifestyle?, Will I even know what to do?) And while many may say that their fears are irrational (like my claustrophobia), they are still real.

And just as I almost decided to walk away from the MRI because of my fear, many make the decision to walk away from church (and therefore Christ) because of fear. We have the responsibility to help others through those barriers, just as the technician helped me through my fear. We need to create an environment that is friendly and warm and where we help people find comfort outside their comfort zone. That can come in small things like a greeter who volunteers to walk a new couple in to help them and their child find the right place to be, proper signage that points the way to the restrooms, and people who reach out in kindness before and after a service. Maybe not in so many words, but they indicate if you need anything, I will be right here to help you.

Being outside your comfort zone is not fun. It is downright scary. And if we desire to reach people for Jesus, we have to be committed to helping those who are taking that step into the unknown. We have to help those who are scared and full of fears. I'm so glad someone did that for me.