Safe And Secure!

February 18, 2021

Safe And Secure!

Are you playing it safe?  Let me ask the question in a more straightforward way; Are you playing it safe so you can feel secure?

It is often our need to feel secure that makes us play it safe.  We play it safe in our relationships; “Don’t say anything; it will just make matters worse!”  We play it safe at work; “Don’t rock the boat; you will cause trouble with the boss!”  We play it safe at school; “Don’t stand out; everyone will make fun of you!”  And, we often play it safe with Jesus; “I can’t do (or say) that; my friends won’t understand!”  

We play it safe because we want to feel secure.  In other words, we often let fear determine how we live our life.  The source of our fear can come from many places.  A deep hurt in the past can lead us to live in fear.  A spectacular defeat can lead us to live in fear.  A new health diagnosis can lead us to live in fear.  I recent loss can lead us to live in fear.  There are all kinds of things that lead us to live in fear.

In those seasons, we hunker down and do whatever we can to feel secure.  I imagine that is why Jesus often says to the people He encounters; “Do not be afraid!” or “Peace be with you!” 

The scene that comes to mind is the disciples gathered in a room in someone’s house.  It is the evening of the day when Jesus was raised from death to life.  The doors are locked and the windows are shut…tight.  I imagine no one is saying a word because they are all frightened out of their minds. 

Some of their fear is justified; the authorities are looking for them to silence their claims about Jesus!  And yet, much of their fear flows out of their need to feel secure; they are playing it safe! 

When the risen Jesus enters the room, the first thing He says is; “Peace be with you.” (John 20:19).  It is Jesus’ way of encouraging the disciples to stop playing it safe.  What is interesting is that just a few moments later Jesus tells them again; “Peace be with you.” (John 20:21).  Jesus invites us over and over again to stop playing it safe, to stop living in fear, and to live with courage that comes through trusting Jesus.

The amazing thing about those “scared out of their minds” disciples is that when they have the confidence that Jesus loves them and is with them, they launch into a mission that transforms the city of Jerusalem and the country of Israel. 

But, there is more.  Those same “playing it safe at any cost” disciples engage in a mission that transforms the Mediterranean, Europe, and Asia.  Literally, those same “I need to feel secure” disciples transform the world by sharing the power of Jesus’ love with everyone they meet.

We play it safe in many ways.  Sometimes it is by simply doing things the way we have always done them before.  Sometimes it is by refusing to say something when a few words would make a big difference.  Sometimes it is by cutting ourselves off from other people by spending all our time in front of a screen.  Sometimes it is by hesitating to listen to and then act on an invitation from Jesus.

Jesus returns to the same room in the same house one week later.  The group of disciples is the same except that Thomas is now with them.  When Jesus enters the room, He says to everyone present; “Peace be with you.” (John 20:26).  Jesus knows the disciples are still playing it safe because they are afraid.

Jesus points out Thomas as the example of playing it safe; Thomas refuses to trust and obey Jesus.  But moments later, Thomas is filled with the gift of faith and the fear is gone!  Thomas announces; “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28).  Tradition says that Thomas left that room and traveled to India to share the Gospel; Thomas no longer plays it safe!

Imagine the delight that filled each of those families in India.  Imagine the delight that filled Thomas’ heart every time someone gave their heart and mind and soul to Jesus.  When we stop playing it safe, our faith in Christ can grow deeper and deeper.  When that happens we will delight in our Lord Jesus.

Take Delight In The Lord!

Doug