An article in the business magazine Fast Company suggests that most people choose to spend time with people much like themselves. Why? Because life seems less complicated when we’re surrounded by people who agree with us, think like us, and possess similar values.

“We all seem to gravitate toward our comfort zones from time to time, and one of the easiest ways to stay there is to spend time with people who are just like us,” writes the author of the article.

As believers in Jesus, we’re called to participate in the “Great Commission,” which instructs us to “Go and make disciples of all the nations”; baptize “them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit”; “teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you”; and, to rest in this fact: God is “with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:16-20).

Many of us struggle to share the gospel because we’re afraid. It can be hard to engage in conversations or interact with people who don’t believe as we do.

Though we’re to be different from nonbelievers in our behavior and the customs “of this world” (Romans 12:1-2), we’re still called to step outside of our comfort zones and bring the good news of Jesus to those who don’t know Him.

When tempted to converse only with other Christians and people who share our values, may we keep in mind that God “wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4).

Rather than shrinking away from sharing our faith with unbelievers, let’s remember, “There is . . . joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God” (Luke 15:7). It’s our joy to share Jesus even when it means exiting our comfortable routine.

NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Luke 24:44-53