Lately I was discussing the subject of getting outside your comfort zone with a bunch of ladies. I shared my own story of taking up the violin so late in life and how God used it in many ways which I had no idea were going on at the time.

As we talked about ways to expand our horizons, a theme emerged which was way off the subject. These women have too much on their plate already to launch off into anything new. Most of them are in a juggling act now and some plates are precariously close to hitting the ground.

It didn’t occur to me until later in the day after the meeting was over that “busyness” itself may be exactly the thing God is challenging some of them with. Not challenging them to do more, but LESS. Extremely busy people tend to feel guilty when they aren’t doing anything and they never finish all that there is to do.

Maybe it is outside their comfort zone to simplify their life in some way. Maybe the good challenge would be to carve out time (without guilt) for nothing in particular. Doesn’t the Bible say: “Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with his mother” (Psalm 131:2)?

Do you have trouble sitting still? Do you wish you had time enough to find out? Do you feel a vague sense of guilt or laziness if you have any extra time on your hands? Maybe God is calling you to do something outside your comfort zone: maybe He is calling you to do less!