I'll Have the Usual, Please

         Many people speak of "comfort zones."   We like to do what we do when we want to do it and to do anything differently would be going out of our "comfort zone."   We usually mention them when we are trying to get people to move out of their comfort zone and try something different or new.  When you get used to something, you pretty much stick to the same old thing.  As a youngster, I liked one thing when we went on a trip.  I always ordered the same thing at a restaurant.  I got a hamburger, fries and a chocolate shake. I never had to say, "I'll never order that again." because I never changed my order.  I didn't want to try steak, or ham with pineapple on it or chicken.   If I had my way, the order would only be slightly different today.  I may substitute the diet soft drink for the shake.  To order something different would be a venture outside of my comfort zone.  I don't like to experiment once I have determined what works.  Comfort zones can also refer to the manner in which we live.  We are often encouraged to move out of our comfort zone and perhaps go to another country on a mission trip or do something bold for the Lord.  All of things might be good ideas for us to move outside of our protected zones to something new and different.  There is one thing however, that shouldn't be changed and that is our association with sin.  Psalm 1:1-2 says, "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.  But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night."  
        This is one area where we don't need to try something new.  We notice that these two verses remind us that we are not to walk, stand or sit with sinners.  That is, we are not to partake of their sin.  We see here that it can begin in a casual manner.  That is why the Psalmist has said that we are not to walk in the counsel of the ungodly.  This would be the first step.  Then, the walking would give way to the standing in the way of sinners and then finally the sitting down in the seat of the scornful.  No, we should avoid it with all of our strength.  The contrast is that we should delight in the law of the LORD and in His law we should meditate both day and night.  So, this is not a matter of the comfort zone being challenged, but rather sticking to the principles that have worked in the past and will work in the future.  We stay with God's Word.  If someone asks you about your comfort zone you can reply that there are some things in life that don't need changing and one of them is our regard for sin.  Keep yourself strong in the Lord through prayer and His Word and you won't go wrong.  Praise God today that He has given us His Word for our daily guidance.