It’s good to stretch before exercising. So says Captain Obvious.

It’s also good to stretch yourself in other areas. Like for me tonight.

I went over to Brentwood Baptist Church and helped out with Room at the Inn, a program they have that gives food and shelter to homeless people. I didn’t do much, quite honestly. I talked to a few of the men who were there and passed the salt shaker. I felt a bit out of place and awkward and not sure what to do with myself (which is pretty normal for me most of the time, actually).

But I think I stretched myself a little bit. Maybe not even a noticeable amount, but a little. I’ve heard that once you are stretched, you never go back to your original shape. You’re never quite as rigid as you used to be, but a bit more flexible.

Sunday night, I went to an evangelism training class. One point I walked away with was “The one who is listening is the one who’s in control.” Of course, none of us are really in control; God is. But we earn the right to speak into people’s lives by listening to them. Again, I got stretched just a tiny bit.

Go stretch yourself. Do something you’re afraid of. Take risks. The biggest way I’ve found to be stretched is to pray, “Not my will, but Yours,” and actually mean it. God is the best at stretching us into people that look just like His son, Jesus. I think the Bible calls it “being renewed by the transforming of your mind.”

God, stretch me until my arms can reach around the hurting and my heart can wrap around their pain. Stretch my eyes until they can see the people You love who are in need and stretch my ears until I can hear their cries. Stretch me until I become more like you.

Amen.