Helen Keller said, “Security is mostly just a superstition. It doesn’t exist in nature and it rarely happens to the children of men as a whole. Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.”
Why does our culture place so much emphasis on comfort and security? I am no different. Along with everyone else right now, I’ve been awfulizing about how much of a loss my pension has taken. Will I be able to retire in ten or twelve years and be comfortable? I am not minimizing the need to proactively plan ahead for retirement. One needs to do that– but is the point of life comfort and security? Faith reminds us that God will take care of us. But faith also dares us to risk living this life here and now.
Why does our culture place so much emphasis on comfort and security? To begin with, it feels good. It soothes our fears and anesthetizes our pain. But that soothing and anesthetizing drains the life from our soul and spirit. It diminishes the greatness of soul that God has created in each of us. It makes us conforming and compliant. No one is threatened by that kind of soul. No one is inspired by it, either. Like “easy listening” music — it is just there, but has no purpose other than to fill the air. (Has anyone ever been inspired by easy listening music? -If so, tell me about it. I’m all ears!)
Taking the One Month To Live theme seriously, asks me to think about taking a risk that matters. It must be something that needs to be done –completed– before my life is over. It has to be something that if left undone would be a shame to have not attempted it. That kind of risk is really just a matter of taking the next faithful step as the Spirit leads.
A quote by Dag Hammarskjold says, ” Pray that your loneliness may spur you into finding something to live for, great enough to die for.“
That quote meant a great deal to me in the summer of 1985 as I retooled for ministry. It still means a lot to me. It asked me to take a step of faith that was not easy, but I have never regretted it. It caused a great deal of “holy insecurity” as I had to learn all over again how to trust God. It caused a lot of discomfort -but led for a greater ministry than I was capable of –or would have been capable of– had I not taken that step of faith.
Is security and comfort the most important thing? If I have nothing greater to live for, then, probably they are. But, both the Keller and the Hammarskjold quotes remind me that there are greater things in life than comfort and security. My walk with Jesus in this Lenten season also reminds me that there are greater things to live for.
If you are reading this, I’d be interested in knowing how the Spirit is prompting you to take risks and break out of the comfort and security for something greater. I’d love to hear from you!
