Is God a Safety Hazard?

Safety consumes a lot of our attention; from airbags to bug repellent, alarm systems to insurance policies. And, while there is nothing wrong with using common sense to protect health and life, a focus on safety can create a hazard of its own — a spiritual hazard!

Rick Warren, author of The Purpose-Driven Life, stated that, “A safe life is a wasted life!”

Think of some of the spiritual “safety procedures” Christians often adopt:

- “I can't spend time in that area of town with those people — someone who is more used to that kind of life should reach them!”

- “I'm not going to get too involved at the church with personal relationships — after all, I could get hurt!”

- “God can ask me to do anything, but I know He's not going to ask me to go overseas, because its not safe to be in poor countries, especially for my kids!”

- “I'm not going to sacrificially give to the Lord's work, because I need to make sure I'm solid financially.”

- “I do care about people's souls, but I don't think I should be very vocal at work about my Christian faith — after all, my reputation and even my career might be damaged!”

- “If I sell out totally to God, and really trust Him to take over my life, He might ask me to do something I'm not prepared to do!”

The list could probably go on and on, filled with statements of denial and rationalization — all in the name of “safety.” It seems clear enough, however, that Jesus was a dangerous man. Being with Him was a dangerous occupation. Most of His followers faced great risks, even torture and death!

Could it be that our preoccupation with safety is robbing us of the adventurous, purposeful life that God intended for us to experience? Could it be that in trying to save ourselves, we forfeit the things that really matter?

Consider the words of our Lord “...whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it.” (Luke 9:24) Indeed, following God is hazardous to our way of life.  That's the whole point.

Challenge: Have I set up any “spiritual safety procedures” in my life that are hindering me from living a meaningful life? Am I wasting my life because of my desire to protect it from harm?

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