Daring to Live Beyond the Comfort Zone (Yolanda in Yugoslavia)
I originally published this article in 1992. I edited and republished in 2011…and now, 2025! I trust you find it encouraging in your leadership journey.
The Rewarding Risk
At 1 a.m., we tap on the door of a second-story apartment, careful not to wake others in the building. Yolanda and Yuri look cautious when they open the door.
We whisper, “We’re Americans…with Bibles.” Their faces light up. Without making a sound, they invite us in, eager to share their incredible story.
Five days earlier, the Russian police swept through their village. It is only seven miles from the Russian-Polish border. The police confiscated all the Bibles and Christian literature. They piled them in the middle of the church floor and set the stack ablaze. All that remained was a charred hole. But now, five days later, they have a fresh supply of Bibles. A miracle. Their gratitude for this gift inspires me to continue my work in spreading God’s message.
In 1980, I delivered Bibles to Christ followers in Communist Europe. I was working with the Slavic Gospel Association, founded by Peter Deyneka. Christians living under Communist rule took a huge risk in sharing their faith. Talking to their children, family, friends, or neighbors about God was dangerous. They could lose their jobs, face imprisonment, or even sacrifice their lives. It was also illegal to accept Bibles or Christian literature from Americans. Yet, Yolanda and Yuri were willing to risk everything. What courage this must require! They were witnesses to destruction. Now they were witnessing a miracle delivery.
The Easy Question
More than 23 years later, Yolanda and Yuri’s courage still inspires me. I often read about those who are persecuted for their faith. Then I feel compelled to ask, “Danita, are you willing to die for your belief in Jesus Christ?” Without hesitation, my answer is always the same. “Yes, absolutely! If I had to choose between renouncing my faith or facing death, I would choose death.”
The Difficult Problem
The next question is harder. “Danita, are you willing to live for your belief that God showed His love to the world through Jesus?”
This question invites me to explore my faith on a deeper level.
- A friend is going through a personal crisis. Will I risk our friendship by asking her a “sensitive” question? “May I pray for you?”
- A client’s business is crumbling. Do I risk losing their contract by asking, “Where is God in this?”
- I’m sitting across the table from a successful entrepreneur. Am I willing to risk my reputation by asking, “What is your purpose in life?”
The challenge isn’t in dying for my beliefs. The challenge becomes real when living them out in my daily interactions. Do I have the courage to ask those risky questions?
The Rewarding Risk
In Romans 12:1-2 (MSG) I’m touched by the Apostle Paul’s words. He writes, “So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering.”
I’m reflecting on this scripture. What is an offering? What is a sacrifice?
According to Webster’s dictionary, an offering is “a gift or contribution.” They describe a sacrifice as “the act of giving up.” Paul urges us to give up our comfort zone. He invites us to offer our lives by sharing God’s love, joy, and peace. You and I can do this in the way we talk to friends, meet with clients, or laugh with our families.
For many, it feels incredibly risky to share their walk as Christ followers. It can feel like we’re endangering our reputations. Are you concerned about damaging friendships, or losing your sense of control? I invite you to confront your fears. When smuggling Bibles, I had to step outside my comfort zone. You too, can embrace the risk. The rewards will follow.
What is the most fulfilling reward? Every interaction becomes an opportunity to share God’s intense love.
Our lives are often comfortable. In the midst of that comfort, are you willing to accept the challenge set by Yolanda and Yuri? They risked everything for their faith. Will you?
Leadership Lesson: When you follow Jesus in every interaction, you risk your reputation. You may face rejection or sacrifice your comfort. The rewards are worth it!
Leadership Question: How will you live out your beliefs today?
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