Safety is Overrated
One of the things that this book really taught me was that safety, as Emily says on page 19, “is not a New Testament concept, but a American one or we might say a Western one. Jesus never called His disciples to safety, but rather to obedience. He didn’t say, “Lay down your cross, relax, and be comfortable,” or, “I am sending you out as sheep among sheep.” Rather, He said, “Take up your cross and follow Me,” and, “I am sending you out as sheep among wolves.”
But Jesus gave the ultimate promise that make the scariest venture possible: “Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).”
Jesus always said that our lives would have difficulties and hardships, but He always promised that there would be joy and peace when we follow the path He has called for us.
Obedience Over Comfort
Later in this story, on page 109, Stephen gave a Bible to their taxi driver, and one of his friends said, “What are you thinking? You’re not only sharing the gospel, but now he knows where you live. Doesn’t that make you afraid for your safety and the safety of your family?”
But Stephen said to him, “You know, I may be the only true Christian that that man will ever meet.” Then he said this: “Are we transferring fear to our brothers and sisters by valuing security above the gospel and living a lifestyle of safety first? Nowhere in the message of Jesus does fear have a place. Then he says: Wouldn’t we be contaminating the message of Christ if we allow our own fear to dictate our level of obedience?”
When Fear Competes with Faith
Now this is challenging stuff, friends, because of course it is a natural instinct of human beings to want to be safe. But I wonder if the Foremans are right here. In saying that we tend to place so much efficiency on safety that we don’t obey God the way we should.
I do believe there is a place for wisdom, I do believe there’s a place for tact when it comes to doing these things. But oh let’s not be afraid! Let’s not play it safe when it comes to sharing our faith! But let’s do all we can — even when it costs us — to share the gospel of Christ wherever we can. And to love Jesus wherever we can.
So often in his writings, Paul spoke about the many difficulties he endured while spreading the message of the gospel. Yet he continued faithfully.
So don’t be afraid. Don’t be afraid of what people think. Don’t be afraid of what people might do. Reach out in the Name of Christ and fulfil your calling for Him, because whatever it might cost you, it will be worth it. It will be worth it to have lived out your faith rather than remained silent in fear.
The religious leaders were scared of the people, and so they sent Jesus to his death. Not so John Wesley, who did not withhold his reputation when he gave His all to God.