Certain phrases circulate, become popular, then continue to be used while remaining superficial at best. One in particular has become annoying: "Be safe". Just what in the four-letter-word does that mean, really?
In the best possible way, someone who says it to you is hoping nothing bad will happen to you that would cause you harm. It is, after all, a dangerous world out there. Bombs in every closet, subway and street car; hooligans in every dark alley; viruses on every touchable surface; or financial ruin one medical emergency away .
Your personal version of danger is whatever you most fear can happen to you. Is it dying? Or simply being so destitute you would wish you were? Is it being alone? Or someone hurting the people you love most?
While not everyone is equally vulnerable to danger, there is only one way to be truly safe, and that is by dwelling in the presence of the Lord. The Bible talks frequently of being "safe"... usually in the context of "dwelling" which denotes that if we trust Him we will dwell in safety wherever we go, and sleep peacefully:
"I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; For You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety." (Psalm 4:8 NKJV)
This should not be confused with trying to stay so safe that we don't do anything meaningful. To live a full life means we take risks. The greater the risk, the greater reward, and that includes the life of faith. The more you are willing to trust, the more risk you are taking (sort of). The only "risk" in trusting more fully the One who loves us most is, you will be drawn way out of your comfort zone and into dangerous faith-building places you have not traveled in before...so dangerous to the flesh. Be blessed...dwell in Him, and the safety will be an automatic perk.
In the best possible way, someone who says it to you is hoping nothing bad will happen to you that would cause you harm. It is, after all, a dangerous world out there. Bombs in every closet, subway and street car; hooligans in every dark alley; viruses on every touchable surface; or financial ruin one medical emergency away .
Your personal version of danger is whatever you most fear can happen to you. Is it dying? Or simply being so destitute you would wish you were? Is it being alone? Or someone hurting the people you love most?
While not everyone is equally vulnerable to danger, there is only one way to be truly safe, and that is by dwelling in the presence of the Lord. The Bible talks frequently of being "safe"... usually in the context of "dwelling" which denotes that if we trust Him we will dwell in safety wherever we go, and sleep peacefully:
"I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; For You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety." (Psalm 4:8 NKJV)
This should not be confused with trying to stay so safe that we don't do anything meaningful. To live a full life means we take risks. The greater the risk, the greater reward, and that includes the life of faith. The more you are willing to trust, the more risk you are taking (sort of). The only "risk" in trusting more fully the One who loves us most is, you will be drawn way out of your comfort zone and into dangerous faith-building places you have not traveled in before...so dangerous to the flesh. Be blessed...dwell in Him, and the safety will be an automatic perk.
