Stop Playing It Safe
Chances are you've probably heard the phrase “safety first.” I think this motto has really dominated our society over the last couple of decades. It's all about safety. Dr. Scott Dudley of Bellevue Presbyterian Church in Washington puts it this way: “We have created today the most risk-averse society in history. We are the most seat belted, bike helmeted, air bagged, knee pad wearing, private schooled, gluten-free, hand sanitized, peanut avoiding, sunscreen, slathering, hyper insured, massively medicated, password protected, valet parked security system inoculated generation in history. All it has done is make everyone more afraid of everything.”
Follower of Jesus Christ, I wonder if we have taken our safety too far. Have we become risk-averse as Christians, as followers of Jesus Christ? Maybe we don't serve. Why not? It might not be safe. Maybe we don't dream big dreams. Why not? We like the status quo. It might not be safe. Maybe we don't share our faith or take a stand for Jesus. Why not? It might not be safe. Maybe we don't tithe or give generously. Why not? It might not be safe. Maybe we don't break bad habits, take risks, build relationships or have adventures. Why not? It might not be safe.
The question for me and you is: When was the last time we really took a risk in our faith? Have we become so afraid of uncertainty that we refuse to venture out? We insulate, inoculate, isolate, and then we pray that we'll die in our sleep without any pain. All the while we go through life never really taking on real challenges. This is a tough message today, even for me. When did we as Christians get the idea that God calls us to safe places to do the easy things?
Was it safe or easy for Abraham when God called him to leave everything he knew, to leave his country, to leave his hometown, to leave half his family behind, to leave everything and follow God to a destination unknown? Was it safe and easy for Moses when God called him to go back to a country that wanted him for murder, to free his people from slavery? Was it safe and easy for Noah to build an ark? Was it safe and easy for a young shepherd boy named David when God called him to face a giant named Goliath? Was it safe and easy for Peter to step out of the boat onto the water without a life vest? Was it safe and easy for any of these people? We read story after story in the Bible about people who took risks because of their calling from God. God called them to something and they took the risk to do it, to obey him. And some ended up safe and sound. Praise God for that. But others, and many of them were imprisoned, beheaded, hung upside down on crosses, sawed in two, burned at the stake, suffered for their faith in Jesus Christ.
Would we go as far?