Life, Liberty and the Obsession with Safety?

 When did the American dream turn into an obsession with safety? It seems like everyday something else is being reported on the news as too dangerous, or a new law being passed for “public safety.” Sometimes those things are good, but now days it seems like safety is the most popular idol to fall down and worship upon.

When I was a kid I would ride my bike without a helmet, knee pads or elbow pads. When I asked to go play outside, I had to stay within the range of mom’s whistle, which was way beyond her site. Let me tell you, mom can WHISTLE! I could be almost two blocks away and still hear it!

I remember getting into the family car and not wearing a seatbelt, or getting into a child’s seat. Sometimes I would start up front, in between mom and dad, then get bored, climb over the seat, step between my siblings who were probably fighting in the back seat, and stretch out on the back dashboard of our car. It was a great place to watch the stars shine bright on long road trips!

Now, if these things were to happen today, my parents would probably be arrested for child endangerment or neglect. However, I never felt neglected or unloved. I felt free and alive. I knew my parents would be there for me when I needed them. Sure there were definite risks, but what I describe was the common experience 25 years ago.

Today there are laws and regulations about how long children have to be in a car seat, wearing seat belts (one of my first cars didn’t even have seatbelts), they have even taken marry-go-rounds out of the local parks. There are chewed up tire pieces glued into rubber asphalt for playgrounds today.

I’m not saying we shouldn’t use common sense or be responsible in our choices when it comes to safety. Certainly I could tell stories of how the lack of safety equipment in the past led to injuries and deaths that are avoided today. However, I think it is good to ask if our obsession is robbing us of real life.

In our faith, I think we have built similar safety mechanisms to prevent us from fully experiencing God’s best. We think God has called us to the safe and comfortable life, when in reality He has called us to so much more!

Abram was minding his own business in Ur when God called him to leave everything he knew based on a promise (Genesis 12). Stephen preached the Gospel and received a stoning for his obedience (Acts 7). Hebrews 11, known as the “Hall of Faith,” recounts many who faced extreme opposition because of their faith.

“Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated—of whom the world was not worthy…” (Hebrews 11:35-38)

Did Jesus declared in John 10:10 that “The thief has come to kill, steal and destroy, but I have come to grant you a comfortable and safe life.” NO! He said He came to give us “Life to the full!” Our life would be found in freedom from sins and peace with God! He never said we wouldn’t face trouble, He actually promised it would come. However, He promised to be with us, rooting for us and praying for us.

When we look at the present work of Jesus Christ, what He is doing today, we learn that what He is doing today can give us the greatest confidence in this life as we look to eternity.

Jesus is our Great High Priest and is seated at the right hand of the Father! Yep, that clears it all up…now go take risks! Haha, I know we have some unpacking to do. Yet in that sentence is a lot we can hold on to.

Jesus provided for us what we could not provide for ourselves (Hebrews 2:17; 9:14)

A priest, in the OT, was one who would offer sacrifice unto God on behalf of the people. He would take the blood from the bulls and present it as a sin offering before God in the Holy of Holies once a year. Because he too was a sinner, this atoning sacrifice would have to be repeated time and again.

Jesus is our Great High Priest who offered Himself as our perfect sacrifice, becoming the propitiation for our sins. Propitiation means a once and done sacrifice that completely satisfies the wrath of God, never needing to be repeated.

Knowing this about Jesus should help us see that we have nothing to prove to God, we cannot earn God’s favor, but it has been freely given to us because of Jesus! This is awesome news! It should free us from our insecurities in life and allow us to be free in our expression of worship.

Jesus has our back (1 Timothy 2:5-6)

As our High Priest, Jesus goes to God on our behalf! He’s kind of like our defense attorney in God’s courtroom. When the enemy brings a charge against us, Jesus defends us!

Plus, there is no longer a need for a Temple because the sacrifice Jesus made, tore the veil that excluded us from the holiest place, from top to bottom. We now have direct access to the Father through Jesus Christ our High Priest (Hebrews 10:19-20).

We can now draw near to into the very presence of the Father without fear, but have confidence because of Jesus.

Jesus knows us and prays for us (John 17:14-17)

Jesus doesn’t pray for our safety, or our comfort, but He does pray that the Father will protect us from the evil one. He warns us that we will have difficulties but He prays our faith will remain strong. And He longs for us to be with Him when our time here is done.

He goes to the Father with specific prayers for us. He knows you by name and prays for your specific needs (Hebrews 7:25; Romans 8:34). Knowing that our High Priest knows us and prays for us should give confidence to live victoriously.

When we begin to understand that Jesus is constantly going to bat for us in the “supreme court of heaven,” we should desire to live our lives in such a way that brings glory and honor to Him. A “safe Christian” life does not bring honor to Jesus. Living on the frontlines, challenging people to live out loud for Jesus and sharing Christ with unbelievers is how we draw people to Him.

Jesus is awesome and knowing what He is doing for us today should give us courage to live a life that brings glory to His name. How have you been holding back in your faith? How does knowing Jesus is your High Priest going to help you overcome your fears and take a risk today?