[Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Comfortable dysfunction

Read: DEUTERONOMY 1:1-8

Meditation verse:

“The Lord our God spoke to us in Horeb, saying: ‘You have dwelt long enough at this mountain” (Deuteronomy 1:6).

Whilst in the wilderness, on the way to the promised land, the Israelites camped for a while in the land of Moab east of the Jordan River. Then Moses informed them that God wanted them to move on; “You have stayed at this mountain long enough. It is time to break camp and move on. Go to the hill country of the Amorites and to all the neighbouring regions—the Jordan Valley, the hill country, the western foothills, the Negev, and the coastal plain. Go to the land of the Canaanites and to Lebanon, and all the way to the great Euphrates River. 8 Look, I am giving all this land to you! Go in and occupy it, for it is the land the Lord swore to give to your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and to all their descendants” (Deuteronomy 1:6-8, NLT)

A camp is a temporary structure typically used by soldiers, refugees or travelling people. It is meant for a specific purpose and for a period. Certain relationships are seasonal. Not everyone is meant to stay with you forever. Certain environments are meant to serve a specific purpose in our lives. Certain people come into our lives to teach us lessons. When we linger in environments or stick with relationships or situations that we have outgrown, we are remaining in what is referred to as a comfortable dysfunction.

The problem with a comfortable dysfunction is that it has outlived its usefulness. It was only intended for a specific purpose and period. You never get to your next level, if you stay put. Relationships shape our reality; our company and environment affect our output. You know there is something bigger and better ahead, but you endure and tolerate because letting go requires too much effort, or you are uncertain of what lies ahead.

How do you know when you have outgrown an environment? You start feeling restless or stifled. You no longer feel comfortable with the same company. You don’t enjoy their jokes anymore. You start feeling a distaste for what used to feel tasteful. There is nothing wrong with you. It is your soul whispering to you that you have outgrown the old because there is more ahead. Your taste buds have changed. God is saying to you today “You have stayed at this mountain long enough. It is time to break camp and move on”. Will you choose comfort

over courage, company over clarity or companionship over alignment and purpose? Choose wisely.

IN HIS PRESENCE is written by Pst (Mrs) Oke Chinye

Founder: The Rock Teaching Ministry (TRTM)

For prayers, counselling or to support our vision of blessing more lives with this devotional, email: rockteachingministry@gmail.com

For more enquiries, visit: