OUR "SAFE PLACE"

... “Let it be known to all of you, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead--by this name this man stands here before you in good health. “He is the STONE WHICH WAS REJECTED by you, THE BUILDERS, but WHICH BECAME THE VERY CORNER stone. And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:10-12 (NASB)

Among the things Randy Harris discussed Sunday night with the youth was the American Christian’s preoccupation with finding our “safe place.”

What is the “safe place?” In this culture it would (a) protect us from physical death [that is the foremost concern]; (b) provide us maximum opportunity to experience our dreams; and (c) protect us from want and disaster. We want no bad surprises!

In this material existence, does this place exist? No! Can Christians die early and unexpectedly? Yes! Can Christians fail to achieve and experience material dreams? Yes! Can Christians die in man-caused or unexpected disasters? Yes!

In this world, there are no people-made “safe places.” When I consider the miles we log collectively by roadway vehicles, those who run red lights or stop signs, those who break the speed limit, those who drive with a suspended license, those who drive under the influence of medication, alcohol, or pleasure drugs, those who text-telephone-eat-“get ready”-etc. while driving, and those who “aim rather than drive,” I marvel that more of us are not “road kill.” We are rather irresponsibly confident that we can prevent death and maximize desired opportunities. We are just beginning to learn neither is true!

There is a “safe place” Christians should know well. God’s care for all people wants (a) for everyone to know about this “safe place,” (b) for this “safe place” to determine our behavior, (c) for Christians to live in danger now because of what God did in Jesus for everyone, and (d) for Christians to understand only internal values control external acts.

Where is your “safe place?” Is it God-designed or your “this world” creation?

David Chadwell

West-Ark Church of Christ, Fort Smith, AR
Bulletin Article, 21 March 2010

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