While watching the livestream of an The Idea Camp session broadcast from the Exponential ’10 conference, I was particularly moved by someone’s mom. Shane Claiborne echoed a sentiment to the audience, from his mom…
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“I used to pray that you would be safe, but being safe isn’t where Christians need to be.”
It’s a sentiment that I have known first-hand through my entire life of knowing Jesus. Honestly, there have been many times when I’ve wanted to step off that train. However, in hindsight, the only times I have felt connected in relationship to Christ have been during times I wasn’t safe. Safety robs us of something and replaces it with comfort. We naturally want to gravitate to our comfort zones, but in reality when you are comfortable are you really in need of Jesus? Comfort breeds complacency and always keeps you wondering these two simple words: What if?
One of the things I can say during my life as a miserable wretch is that I cannot think of an instance in my life where I have been in a place of asking, “What if?” I’ve been beaten-down, judged, disappointed, regretful, angry, tossed around, stepped on, crushed and broken. However, it’s just the way I feel I need to live my life to learn and serve others. It’s the way I feel Jesus is continually strengthening and shaping me for something far greater than I could have imagined, hoping along the way that my story helps empower someone else or draw them nearer to God.
For every time you have asked yourself, “What if?” would you take a moment to reflect and ask yourself now what is holding you back? Maybe you can’t revisit a previous opportunity or experience, but what is the burning question in your life right now that is causing you to ask, “What if?” Then, rather than ask, “What if?” I challenge you to make the statement, “Why not!” Safety is for suckers!
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