Safe in Hard Times

 

“Safe” is a wonderful word when used by an umpire for a runner who beat the ball to home plate. In general, we all love safety from harm and safety in our relationships. But lately it has been apparent that for Christians to expect to be “safe” in the world today is to deny what is happening in our midst.

From a human perspective, it is not a “safe” world for the Christian in America right now.  That is when “safe” is defined as unchallenged so we do not have to defend our faith or when it means expecting a peaceful response when we differ with the world on hot topics like abortion, homosexuality, or education.

As Americans we value safety. Throughout the “pandemic” lockdowns we saw many who became fearful and isolated themselves for protection. For those at high risk this was understandable. It’s sad  that there were few media outlets talking about who was at risk, so everyone was included in what turned out to be an exaggeration of the fear factor.

The Bible tells us to “Fear not.” It became evident through these times that many Christians seem to put a high priority on safety and security. This was true in the spheres of both health and non-health fears.

Don’t get me wrong. There is still enough defense of “religious freedom” that I do not fear for my life because of my Christianity…yet.

However, as things like Christian companies being denied access to using Visa and MasterCard services or Christians being lumped into a “terrorist” identification in slanderous articles in newspapers, or the military’s unexplainable denials of religious exemptions for the covid shot, we have reason to be concerned.

When the Bible tells about the Apostle Paul’s life it is easy to see that a person who is bold for the Lord may not live in perfect external peace or safety. In 2 Corinthians 11:24-27 Paul says, “From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;  in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.”

Obviously, the human body is able to survive a whole lot more than we have been taught to believe it can. One evidence that our view on this has changed is the influx of water bottles. There is a fear that we must be constantly hydrating our bodies. For the record, I am not denigrating water. But I wonder if people really think they will dehydrate in the time they sit in church on Sunday or through a two hour drive somewhere. Jesus went with nothing in the wilderness for 40 days in His human body.

Our bodies have the staying power and the healing power that our Creator God put in all of us. There is great evidence that the body can withstand some harsh treatment and survive.

This is not to say that we all need to go through some sort of physical challenges to prove our faith in Almighty God. What is important to consider when difficult times come is the “why” of any decision we make. Are we acting in fear, trying to preserve our safety and security over boldness in actions that would build God’s kingdom even though it may drag us through some really uncomfortable times along the way?  And, is it really safety or is it comfort that we’re fearful about?

As American Christians we have taken for granted the peace and prosperity the Lord has been blessing us with both personally and as a nation for many years. Will we, with Paul, learn in whatever state we are to be content (Philippians 4:11)? Even when the opposition is great and the pain seems unbearable?

We know we can be content in safety. Are we willing to learn to be content in hard times? How about uncomfortable times?

Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:  I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.  I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.                           Philippians 4:11-13