letting go of safety

I have a confession to make. 

I like being safe. I like having a plan, knowing what's coming, feeling secure. 

But something that I'm slowly learning is that God is not nearly as concerned with my safety or comfort as He is with His glory.

This Sunday the pastor read this quote from C.S. Lewis's The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe-

...said Mrs Beaver; “if there’s anyone who can appear before Aslan without their knees knocking, they’re either braver than most or else just silly.”

“Then he isn’t safe?” said Lucy.

“Safe?” said Mr Beaver; “don’t you hear what Mrs Beaver tells you? Who said anything about safe? ‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King, I tell you.”

And it got me thinking.

I sit in aged little classrooms, surrounded by believers who desire to be trained up according to God's Word for the purpose of ministry... and try not to fall asleep while we discuss Leviticus. I "try on" churches, singing songs in beautiful, air-conditioned sanctuaries. I complain when I don't think a church meets my needs. I get nervous to enter a place of worship alone because I'm shy and wonder if I'll fit in. 

Is this truly what God desires for me? For me to be more concerned about liking the author of my textbooks than to humble myself in an act of worship through learning? To be critical of a local church based on the style of their music rather than the quality of the community? To be more concerned about how a church can meet my needs than how I can serve?

Doubtful. 

Scripture contains narrative after narrative about calling his followers to hard things. Uncomfortable tasks. Abraham, Moses, and the disciples all asked to leave everything that they knew to follow the Lord. Joseph, Daniel and Esther all forced into positions outside of their culture and away from their families. Jonah was so uncomfortable with what God asked him to do that he sailed the opposite direction (and that ended really well). But each of them, while not perfect, followed. They obeyed. They accepted risks for the glory of God. 

and because of that, we see:
a heart-wrenching story of forgiveness
an unbelievable account of God's provision
an entire nation saved
an ordinary life used for extraordinary purpose
and so many more. 

The comforting part of that call is that we don't have to do any of it alone! We are equipped with the Holy Spirit. Our God will never leave us or forsake us. He will light our paths as we journey to bring glory to His name. 

Are you done with holding onto security and safety? Are you ready to pursue a life that goes beyond your comfort zone? I could definitely use the company and the encouragement!