A Dangerous Life?

A couple of nights ago I was in a conversation about being safe. I was talking about how it makes sense to try and be as safe as possible instead of knowingly walking into a "dangerous" situation. However, once I was by myself (and trying to go to sleep), the Lord started speaking to my heart on the matter - the following is a glimpse of what He was teaching me.

Being safe - a term that is used quite often or atleast some version of it - be safe, be careful, etc - however, what does that really mean? Do you truly want a christian to live a "safe" lifestyle? Isn't that the exact opposite of what the Lord calls us to? My 1st response to this line of thinking is - yeah, but God also gives us common sense, He gives us families that we love, friends we cherish - is it a sin to hope that they are safe? Well, I do believe there is a difference in deciding to rock climb w/o any safety features down the wall of the Grand Canyon and being in a place God has called you to. Being in the center of where God has called you to is the "safest" place for you to be. "Safe" in the terms of America's definition or even a mom's definintion? Most likely not - but safe in the terms of your Creator, your Savior, and One who will ALWAYS bring glory to Himself.

Our safety as christians lies in the fact that we are christians. Our promise from the Lord is that He will never leave us or forsake us and that we will dwell with Him for all of eternity. He promises to guide our steps and to work all things for His glory but nowhere does He say it will be easy, not scary, or SAFE.

Jesus' words to his disciples were as follows, "do not go in the way of the gentiles, but rather go to the lost sheep...behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves...when they hand you over - do not worry about how or what you are to say; for it will be given to you in that hour what you are to say. For it is not you who speak, but it si the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you...truly I say to you, you will not finish going through the cities of Israel until the Son of Man comes...Therefore do not fear them, for there is nothing concelaed htat will not be revealed...do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul...for the very hairs of your head are numbered...do not fear you are more valuable than many sparrows...he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me...truly I say to you, you will not lose your reward." - exerpts from matthew 10

Are we not called to be His disciples? If so these are our instructions as well...The only way for God's best and most perfect plan for our lives to happen is to follow Him - whereever that may lead - we often judge the "dangerousness" of a situation as to where the location is - but honestly the dangerousness of the situation rests in whether you are outside of His will or not. Obviously God teaches us that He will work all things for His good - His plans can not be thwarted - so we have free will - we have the choice to obey and follow or not - but why would you desire to be somewhere other than where He has called you?

It's hard to look at "tragic situations" and believe that God was in control - but He was. He is glorified and will always continue to be. We don't like to think that something that "tragic" could be a part of a perfect plan - but it is - the Lord does promise us that. We can't even fathom what today might have held in store if that had not happened - we. just. don't. know. However, the Lord, the director of our steps, the One who holds the universe in His hands does know.

It's hard to try and wrap our minds around this truth but it is the truth - there is no one who cares more about their children more than the One who created them - and no matter where they are - their Father is ALWAYS with them and He is more of a protector than we could ever hope to be.