When Safety is Overrated

1 Corinthians 15:30-32 And what about us? Why do we put ourselves in danger every hour? I face death every day. That is true, brothers and sisters, just as it is true that I am proud of what you are because of Christ Jesus our Lord. I fought wild animals in Ephesus. If I did that only for human reasons, then I have gained nothing. If we are not raised from death, “Let us eat and drink, because tomorrow we die.”

Aside from skydivers, mountain climbers and other assorted adrenalin junkies, most of us have a natural aversion to danger. What we long for is safety and it’s 21^st century manifestation, comfort.

Having recently hit the age of 65, it’s amazing how my news feeds are filling up with articles about what it takes to have a comfortable retirement – how much money I’ll need, what social connections I need to make and so on.

Aside from how unnerving it is to be targeted like that by algorithms, can I tell you, they represent a real trap. This highly attractive retreat into safety and comfort, whilst a popular notion peddled by the world at large, isn’t necessarily what God has in mind for the rest of our time here on this earth. Writes the Apostle Paul …

1 Corinthians 15:30-32 And what about us? Why do we put ourselves in danger every hour? I face death every day. That is true, brothers and sisters, just as it is true that I am proud of what you are because of Christ Jesus our Lord. I fought wild animals in Ephesus. If I did that only for human reasons, then I have gained nothing. If we are not raised from death, “Let us eat and drink, because tomorrow we die.”

Okay, so perhaps you and I aren’t called to the same extremes as the Apostle Paul, but at the same time, as 19^th century author John A Shedd put it, “A ship in harbour is safe, but that’s not why ships are built.”

Don’t get too comfortable. God may well have a different plan.

That’s His Word. Fresh … for you … today.