Security in Christ
by Marta BennettThis article is adopted from an letter written shortly after September 11, 2001. It is republished here in light of the attempted airplane bombings on transatlantic flights.
The last five years have taught us that ultimately, we are not in control. No one is omnipotent or omniscient, apart from God; no human government can guarantee absolute safety or security. Nor is it a matter of "Where is God?" God is here, wherever we are. God is waiting for us to trust in God, not our security, not our freedom. True freedom only comes by having confidence in a loving, just, merciful God, and in seeking to be a part of what God is doing in the world, by his grace. There is freedom and joy in so doing, even in the most dire of contexts.
Some friends of mine were once challenged about a decision they were making about going into a war torn area to serve in a ministry where their skills were urgently needed. After much prayer, they decided to continue to move ahead with their plans, even though there had been some recent kidnappings. When they were asked if they really thought it was safe to go, their reply was that they couldn't think of anywhere safer than being right in the center of God's will. Yes, they may die, but they were safer there than if they disobeyed what they deeply felt God calling them to do (they are still alive and well I might add). We are all going to die one day, one way or another; they preferred to place their lives in God's hands, to follow where he seemed to be leading them.
Rather than being paralyzed by fear, distrust, or thoughts of revenge, may we move forward in whatever way God has called each one of us, loving God and loving neighbor. There are no guarantees for safety or comfort. In fact, if anything, the opposite is true. Dietrich Bonhoeffer once wrote, "When God calls a man, he bids him come and die." May we work daily for justice, aware that decisions we make even in our lifestyles makes a difference in the lives of others. Justice and righteousness (not mere charity, but justice, and not revenge, but the alleviation of oppression) are themes that run deeply through all of Scripture. May we be advocates for the oppressed, regardless of race or creed. May we be bearers of Good News, addressing the roots of evil, and overcoming the evil with truth and good.
The God of the universe, incarnate in Jesus Christ, chose to reconcile the world to himself through horrific torture, suffering betrayal, humiliation and brutal death on a Roman cross. God is no stranger to the weight of evil. But through that sacrifice of Jesus’ life, death and fear have lost their power. As followers of Jesus, may we be people who are propagators of hope and life, not hatred or destruction. May God's light and love ultimately dispel the darkness of heart and soul around the world, drawing all peoples to himself. May we each do our part, humbly, faithfully, and with "sheer dogged endurance." (I Thess. 1:3, JB Phillips).
Unless otherwise noted, all materials on the urbana.org web site are Copyright InterVarsity Christian Fellowship / USA. All rights reserved.
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