First, on a personal note. I've never been some one to worry about finances (is that safety? being financially secure?) nor have I been someone to be a physically obtrusive person (is that safety? being physically safe from danger?) Is safety something that we desire as man? or is it something that God places over us? Where do we draw the line between being safe, and taking that leap of faith for what we believe in?
Going in to my graduation theres a lot still up in the air. and I guess a lot shat should be brought into consideration. How am I going to live? Being the man that God created me to be, I desire adventure. To travel the world and back again, to go to Mordor and destroy the ring in Mount Doom, To join the rebel alliance and take arms against the sith lords, to sacrifice everything that I am to share the love of God's grace. So I ask again, What does it mean to be safe?
In the ESV translation of the Bible, the word 'safe' is mentioned 28 times. 12 of those times is found in Psalms and Proverbs. Only 3 times in Jesus's ministry does he mention safety. And only one of those times does he mention the safety of man. (the other times were of man's protection of his possessions (Lk 11:21), the other the safety of a calf (Lk 15:27))
12 While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me
John 17:12.
It's interesting how the one time Jesus mentions safety, it is of how the triune God keeps us safe. There are so many instances in both the new and old testament of how man fails to keep himself safe, but God continues to protect his people.
...because, as surely as the LORD lives, you are safe; there is no danger.
1 Samuel 20:21.
1 Keep me safe, O God,
for in you I take refuge.
Psalm 16:1
28 Love and faithfulness keep a king safe;
through love his throne is made secure.
Proverbs 20:28.
One of my favorite verses as a follower of Christ:
6 The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid.
What can man do to me?
Ps 118:6.
After Francis Chan published his first book Crazy Love He was told by his publisher that his book has become a best seller and will generate over 1 mil $ in revenue. After praying over this with his wife they decided to sign over all of the income from the book to charities. ALL of it. He was soon approached by some members of his congregation who were concerned for his safety. saying he should at least keep some if it in case of an emergency. His responded asking them, is what is happening elsewhere in the world not an emergency? is my safety more important than others having clean water to drink? (this did not do it justice)
The idea is we so often try to keep ourselves safe with our possessions, with our steady jobs and steady income. We try to keep ourselves safe by living in a good neighborhood. By politically positioning ourselves in our communities and social networks. To live a life in the flesh there is so much we try to keep ourselves safe from: mentally, physically, and emotionally.
But what is the greater risk than a life that fails to live in constant pursuit if God's will?
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