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by Robin McKinley
Narrated by Artificial Intelligence Christopher.
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Have you ever found yourself in a situation that made you uncomfortable—and wondered why God allowed it?
Most of us assume those moments exist to grow us. And that’s true. God uses uncomfortable situations to stretch our faith and deepen our walk with Him. At times, He prepares us for something we would never choose on our own.
But there’s another reason we don’t always consider. Sometimes, God moves us out of our comfort zone—not for us—but for someone else.
He (Jesus) was alone at the time because his disciples had gone into the village to buy some food. John 4:8
Many years ago, before we began holding Kid’s Crusades, we traveled to a small church in Kentucky to preach a series of evangelistic services. The pastor, Brother Ross, was an older gentleman I came to respect deeply.
One evening, while sitting at his kitchen table, our conversation turned to the tobacco industry. In that region, many farmers depended on it for their livelihood.
As a young—and honestly, somewhat arrogant—evangelist, I made a bold statement. I said I would never work in tobacco.
Brother Ross responded calmly. He said he had never needed to—but then he added something I’ve never forgotten: “A man will work almost anywhere if he gets hungry enough.”
That statement carried weight. He understood something I didn’t yet grasp. When responsibility calls, comfort becomes secondary. When others depend on you, you step beyond your preferences.
Over the years, God has used moments like that to shape my thinking and grow my faith.
The Woman at the Well
In John 4, Jesus arrived at a well and asked a Samaritan woman for a drink of water. That moment broke cultural barriers. Jews avoided Samaritans. They didn’t associate with them.
Yet Jesus intentionally stepped into that space. The woman noticed immediately. But look again at what happened behind the scenes. Where were the disciples?
They had gone into the village—the same village filled with Samaritan people. And what were they doing? Buying food. That raises some interesting questions:
- Were they so hungry that they set aside their prejudices?
- Did Jesus send them to stretch their thinking?
- Or did He send them away so He could minister to this woman without interruption?
We may not know every detail—but one truth stands out. Jesus had a divine appointment. And the disciples had to step out of their comfort zone to make room for it.
Out of Your Comfort Zone—for Someone Else
There will be times when God leads you into situations that feel inconvenient, unfamiliar, or uncomfortable. You may not understand why. You may even want to pull back.
But God often works beyond what you can see. He may be positioning you to: reach someone, encourage someone, or impact someone
Your discomfort may become someone else’s breakthrough. So instead of resisting those moments, pause and ask: “Lord, who is this really for?”
Because sometimes, your willingness to step out becomes the very thing God uses to change someone else’s life.
Lord, thank you for guiding my steps—even when you lead me outside my comfort zone. Help me trust you in those moments and remain willing to follow wherever you lead. Use my life to benefit others and bring glory to your name. Amen.
About the Author:
Robin, with his wife Cindy, became children’s evangelists early in their ministry. They ministered to children full-time for eight years. They developed several children’s stories, which they told using visuals and puppets during that time.
Robin turned two of those stories into children’s books. One is called “The Contest,” a book about the Fruit of the Spirit, and the other is called “Twas the Night of Christmas,” with new artwork. He has also recently released his latest devotional book, titled “Great Stories in the Bible.”
Over 300 of his devotional writings are available on his Christian Perspectives website at www.ramckinley.com. When you visit this site, you can sign up to receive newly written devotions emailed twice a week.
Robin is the pastor of Calvary Christian Center in Pottstown, PA. He is an ordained minister with the Assemblies of God. He and his wife make their home in Birdsboro, Pa. He also serves as the president of the local Ministerium. He and Cindy have two married sons and four grandchildren.
Now, a word for our sponsor –
3 Minutes Alone with God Volume 4
This is volume 4 a Book of Devotions from the Journal of Pastor Robin McKinley. Each entry consists of a scripture text, the devotion, a challenge and a prayer. There is also a space to jot down what the Holy Spirit may have revealed to you through his Word
