Christians are not called to play it safe.
You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.
“For Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks ask for wisdom,
but we preach about a crucified Christ,
a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles.”
1 Corinthians 1:22 New English Translation
There are some people…or animals…whom you don’t want to make angry.
Wet Valley, Colorado
Fortunately there were two fences between me and this bison, and fortunately he wasn’t all that interested in me anyway. Like the other bison in the background, he was more interested in grazing on grass.
A local Christian radio station advertises that their music is “safe for the whole family.” I’m grateful that I don’t have to worry about the lyrics played on their station, especially around my grandchildren, yet there is something about that phrase which bothers me. It gives a distorted picture of what it means to be a Christian in this world.
Being a Christian isn’t safe and it isn’t intended to be safe even if we want it to be safe.
The preaching of the gospel and a life lived under the gospel isn’t safe. For centuries people have suffered ridicule and faced physical abuse because they wear Christ’s name, yet too often our churches try to play it safe in ministry. Too often I’ve played it safe as a pastor.
Though being God’s people in the world is not meant to be safe, Christ protects us. God’s Word is our protection; no, more than protection. It is our double-edged sword wielded in a world that isn’t safe.
Copyright Douglas P Brauner
This reminds me of CS Lewis’ The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe where he writes: “Aslan is a lion- the Lion, the great Lion.” “Ooh” said Susan. “I’d thought he was a man. Is he-quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion”…”Safe?” said Mr Beaver …”Who said anything about safe? ‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King, I tell you.”
I love that quote, Dave. It is one of the most brilliant lines that C.S. Lewis wrote. Thanks for sharing it.
Just read this one. I like it. It is true that safe isn’t the right word. An adventure, yes. We are not called to safety.
I like the word “adventure.”