Is This Safe?

Why do people agree to this? Is it safe?

Here's the plan.  (This picture of my son will help you imagine the scenario.) We'll tie a rope to a speed boat.  On a serpentine course, we'll power ahead, churning a vicious wake.  You hold fast to a tube we'll attach to the end of the aforementioned rope.  You'll be whipped so violently that a careless rider could be dislodged.  It'll take everything you've got: focus, effort and tenacity.  Your heart will race.  You may be battered and tossed like a leaf on the wind.  Safe?  Who said anything about safe?

It'll be the ride of your life.

Sometimes I wonder if we've misunderstood our life in Christ.  I wonder if we've tried to tame the Lion of Judah. Jesus is not simply our "Forever Friend," as so many little children refer to Him.  Jesus is the One who calls us out of the boat. He is the One who ties our lives to His great redemption story.  His story-line pulls us into a life that is not our own.  He sets the course. He sets the speed.  He sets the agenda.  Safe?  Who said anything about safe?

Jesus honestly directed his followers, "Abide in me." He declared, "I'm sending you out like sheep among wolves." I assume that meant we better hold on tight cause we're in for an exhilarating ride. 

You may ask, "Why would people agree to this?  Is it safe?"

In The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, C.S. Lewis portrays Mr. Beaver telling the children about Aslan, the great lion.  When Susan asks, "Is he quite safe?" Mr. Beaver responds, "Safe?  Who said anything about safe?  'Course he isn't safe. But he's good.  He's the King I tell you."

Stop looking for security more than opportunity.  The King is calling you to a life that is truly good.  Will you agree to this? 

If you do you're in for the ride of your life.

Comments

[Tina Harkey]

Mark,

Thank you for the insight. I needed that picture. I just experienced the "ugly" side of church as one of my volunteers put it. I was serving in my sweet spot on a church staff and got thrown out of the boat. I start a new position that I never thought I would be working in on Monday. What is the Lion of Judah up to? I have no idea...but I am excited about the adventure.

[Leonce Crump II]

I have to say that this is one of the most insightful and gut checking things I have read in a while. It really pierced me...where do we lose our sense of adventure in following Jesus?

[Sarah Koutz]

Amen! Amen! Amen! That truth has hit me in a whole knew way now that I teach in an inner-city school. Great things come when you take the opportunities. Keeping with the Narnia theme, Lucy discovers this in Prince Caspian when she sees Aslan again and thinks he is bigger. He says, "I am not. But every year you grow, you will find me bigger."

Love it!

[Amanda Niece]

I hadn't thought of it that way in a long time. When I was younger I was fully devoted to Christ and thought that I would never lose faith or never think it was uncool. Then I got into college and lost my way, I could always hear a slight "rumble" from him, but it wasn't until I found GCC that I heard the "roar" from him. I'm excited to see what bringing "Up there down here" will do for our community!

[FinchNanette]

Some time ago, I really needed to buy a house for my organization but I did not have enough money and could not buy something. Thank goodness my father proposed to try to take the credit loans from creditors. Hence, I acted so and was happy with my short term loan.