“Daring to Serve: An Inspiring Tale of Answering God's Call to Serve Him Outside My Comfort Zone” -By Rachel Young

Has God ever asked you to serve Him in a way that was outside your comfort zone? If so, you’re not alone.

One time, the Lord asked me to serve him in an area that was way outside my comfort zone.

One Sunday morning years ago, my family and I were walking into a new church hoping this one would be the one we could call home, yet unsure. My younger sister Abagail has Down Syndrome, and at the time, had a feeding tube. After we’d moved to where we live now, we had struggled to find a church.

This was at least the third church we’d visited, if not the fourth or the fifth.

Every church we’d visited so far hadn’t quite known how to welcome all five of us, because they’d struggled to see past my sister’s special needs. Yet, as we walked into this one, we quickly knew that our experience here would be different.

Thankfully, this church had a trained helper who could stay with Abigail, so that she could go to Sunday School and my parents could go to service. Although the church wasn’t our normal denomination, we knew we’d found our church home.

Fast forward to about three years ago, and I was nearing the age to serve in the special needs ministry. I’d shadowed one of the trained helpers (also known as buddies) for several of the special needs ministry’s events, yet I was hesitant to start serving. Helping out myself sounded challenging and uncomfortable. 

What if I’m helping a kid and he starts having a medical problem?

What if my abilities aren’t enough?

My head was spinning with all the “what ifs,” but as I battled these what-ifs, God reminded me of what is.

My family has been deeply encouraged and helped by the special needs ministry. I knew what it felt like to be part of one of the families helped. I knew God was calling me to step out of my comfort zone and serve other families like mine.

Furthermore, I knew it wasn’t about me or what I could do.

As it says in 2 Cor. 12:9a NIV, “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’” Ultimately, it’s about what God can do and His power, not me or my own strength.

Looking back, I’m so thankful the Holy Spirit equipped me to take the leap of faith to start serving in the special needs ministry. God has and is continuing to use my service to enable parents to go to church service or life groups.

We have a monthly respite event called “Buddy Break,” and currently around 40% of our attendees are unchurched. God is using my willingness to step out of my comfort zone to reach the unreached, to love the unloved, to show those often overlooked that God sees them. 

Not only that but serving in this ministry has helped me to grow closer to God. When I choose to trust Him more than my comfort zone, I learn to find my strength and courage in Him.

As I lean into Him more, He opens my eyes to see the world the way He sees it. Although I’ve had some hard and uncomfortable moments, I’ve had less than I expected. I’ve also watched kids who have struggled to find their place find belonging in the kingdom of God. 

Sometimes in the moment, serving in the special needs ministry doesn’t feel like it is making a big difference - yet it is. God is doing a work beyond what I can imagine, and when I look back, I can see how God has used me stepping out in faith to draw others closer to Him.

Does this remind you of anything in your own life? Has the Holy Spirit been prompting you to step out of your own comfort zone to make a difference in someone’s life?

Maybe it’s sharing the gospel with a friend that doesn’t have a relationship with God, or approaching someone about discipleship. Whatever the case may be, his grace is sufficient for you, just as it’s sufficient for me. If God plans for you to step out of your comfort zone, he will equip you to do so. Lean into Jesus, and let him carry you. He will give you courage and strength, every time.

Deut. 31: 6 - “ Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”