Fed, But Not Sent

Lately, I’ve been feeling like Christianity can become a culture—a bubble, if you will. People want to be in places surrounded by others who are constantly “fed” spiritually. We chase environments that give us the most fulfillment—our friends, our work, our small groups—thinking that’s where we become the best version of a Christian.

And yes, I believe the saying, “You are the average of the five people you surround yourself with.” But if we’re constantly seeking wisdom, discernment, and clarity…what are we actually being equipped for?

To sit in a small group where everyone agrees with us? To stay surrounded by people who keep us comfortable?

What good is refining ourselves if we never leave comfort?

Comfort kills.

Don’t get me wrong—we need community like this. But lately, I’ve felt convicted that it’s not the end goal. We are meant to be sharpened and refined so we can go out and make disciples.

And if I’m being honest, I think a lot of us—including myself—tend to dismiss that.

Jesus sat with the very people society avoided—drunks, prostitutes, and sinners. In Matthew 9, it says:

“While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with Him and His disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they asked, ‘Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?’

On hearing this, Jesus said, ‘It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick… For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.’”

Jesus didn’t call us to get comfortable with the righteous—sitting over a beer, smoking a cigar, laughing on the back porch like the Great Commission is a group chat we all muted.

He spent 30 years growing in obedience and being refined. And when it was time, He went all in. No hesitation. No holding back.

Full send.

And I can’t help but feel like, in today’s world, we’ve gotten really good at the refining part—but we’ve forgotten the going.

That’s something I want to do better at. I am by no means doing everything right, but I’ve noticed that when I take time to write out my thoughts, I gain clarity, peace, and discernment from the Lord.

At some point, you have to leave the fire and step into the dark!