calendar_today July 21, 2025

Ease/Comfort

person CJ Ward

view_list Gravity ,

Gravity – Week 4: Ease/Comfort

In Week 4 of the Gravity series, Pastor CJ Ward explores how the cultural pull toward ease and comfort stands in contrast to God’s original design for humanity. Using Genesis 2:15–17 as the foundation, he reminds us that even in a perfect world—before sin entered the story—God gave humanity three essential gifts: a place, work, and responsibility.

CJ opens by debunking the idea that “if you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life.” He explains how this cultural myth sets us up to chase after comfort, assuming that success looks like an easier life. Yet, even in Eden, humanity was called to work the garden—real, meaningful labor. Ease was never the goal. Purpose was.

God Gave Us:

A Place – Wherever you are right now is your place of purpose. CJ stresses that there is no perfect “someday” or “somewhere else” where everything becomes easier. If you’re married, that’s your place. If you’re working a difficult job, that’s your place. God’s calling starts right where you are.
Work – In a perfect world, God gave us work. That means work isn’t a curse—it’s a calling. Whether it’s calloused hands from manual labor or raising children at home, God designed us to engage in meaningful work. And not just at the office or in the field—at home, in relationships, and in spiritual growth.
Responsibility – With work comes ownership. God entrusted us with dominion over the earth, meaning it’s our responsibility to improve and steward what He has given. CJ challenges us to stop blaming others (or the culture, the government, or the church) and start taking responsibility for the world we live in—starting in our homes, jobs, and neighborhoods.

Throughout the message, CJ invites the church to avoid idolizing ease and instead embrace the hard but holy work of discipleship, family, service, and personal growth.

Key Challenge:

New Life practices five core “Life on Mission” skills:
Connect Deeply, Gather Purposefully, Give Generously, Influence Daily, and Serve Selflessly.

CJ challenges listeners to pick the one that takes the most effort and commit to growing in that area between now and Labor Day. Not to perfect it—but to put in the work.

Key Scripture:

Genesis 2:15–17

¹⁵The Lord God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to tend and watch over it. ¹⁶But the Lord God warned him, “You may freely eat the fruit of every tree in the garden— ¹⁷except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you eat its fruit, you are sure to die.”