Danger
in Safety
By Brita Crouse
“Then Jesus said to
his disciples, ‘If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up
his cross and follow me.’”
Matthew
16:24 (NIV)
I
am learning that sometimes in life, it feels easier to “play it safe” than to
take risks. However, as our verse above tells us, as Christians, we should have
a very different mindset about how to live. As easy as it seems to live comfortably,
we are called to follow Christ, which doesn’t necessarily mean living in
safety.
The
book Crazy Love addresses this idea of “safe living” with
these words:
“People who are obsessed with Jesus aren’t
consumed with their personal safety and comfort above all else. Obsessed people
care more about God’s kingdom coming to this earth than their own lives being
shielded from pain or distress.” [1]
The
Bible gives us numerous examples of Christ-followers who lived for Christ, not
for comfort. David hid in caves as he was pursued by Saul because of his
appointment as ruler over Israel. Moses led an exodus while warding off
Egyptians, fielding complaints, and acting as mediator between God and His
people. Paul was imprisoned for doing the Lord’s work and Peter was crucified
for being a follower of Jesus. These people, by any standard, were not living
comfortably, but they were being obedient to Christ.
My
brother has been on a two-month journey working as an intern with orphanages in
Latvia. He has many excuses and reasons not do to this, (namely, it’s far away
and the unstable political climate in Eastern Europe), but in faith, he has
chosen to be obedient. My parents have received many questions and concerns
about his safety also, but they have taken on the attitude of, “Who are we as
parents to tell him to disobey his Father?”
We
have all sorts of things that lull us into feeling secure, like seatbelts and
helmets and financial stability. It is very important to be wise, but there is
danger in “playing it safe.” It is when we feel comfortable that we forget our
true purpose in this life: to be a follower of Christ.
Let
us not exclusively and excessively concern ourselves with safety, but rather
leave the protecting to God. Instead, let us pray that we, as well as others,
would be used by God to further His kingdom. Let’s take a risk and practice
obedience.
GOING
DEEPER:
1.
Listen to “The Cost” by Rend Collective Experiment. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2TxahqbSbU)
2.
Is there a situation in your life where God is calling you out of comfort?
FURTHER
READING:
[1]
Francis Chan, Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by
a Relentless God (Elgin, IL: David C. Cook, 2008), 133.
Brita recently
graduated from Taylor University with a degree in Psychology, and is currently
a helper for Oakwood’s Quest 56 and the Just Among Moms weekly childcare team.
