We meet one another and at at least some level we ask ourselves, "Is this person safe to walk with?" Depending on the level of unsafe experiences we have had, how similar the person seems to ourselves, the availability of others we trust to provide backup, and our personal temperament, we proceed with varying degrees of trust.
We know this made sense when the world was more aggressively unsafe than it is today. But there is plenty to be afraid of today and it is much more difficult to determine what is dangerous and what is safe. So, we learn and remember what we can, then make the best choices that we can and keep moving on. I have no better alternative to offer because not one person is ever perfectly safe. Humankind is too broken, to untrustworthy too often, to proceed with no caution; but excessive caution causes life to be miserable, with fear excluding joy.
I can only share my way of stepping out in faith. "God, I appreciate Your love and tender care. I wish I were better and faster at learning so I would more correctly interpret the choices I face each minute of every day and sometimes I do better and sometimes I am careless with the life you have give me. Let me choose kindness over timidity, courage over fear, generosity over acquisitive, remembering that all I have, including my life, my resources, my health, my hospitality are gifts from You and if I should loose time, health, resources or even die expending them trying to good, I trust my self and my loved ones into your care. AMEN"
Some folks (including some of my nearest and dearest) find this nuts. But here is the deal for me: bad things happen sometimes, and I'd much rather pay the price for doing a good thing rather than while surrendering to bullying and threats where I still loose time, health, resources or even die anyway.
We know this made sense when the world was more aggressively unsafe than it is today. But there is plenty to be afraid of today and it is much more difficult to determine what is dangerous and what is safe. So, we learn and remember what we can, then make the best choices that we can and keep moving on. I have no better alternative to offer because not one person is ever perfectly safe. Humankind is too broken, to untrustworthy too often, to proceed with no caution; but excessive caution causes life to be miserable, with fear excluding joy.
I can only share my way of stepping out in faith. "God, I appreciate Your love and tender care. I wish I were better and faster at learning so I would more correctly interpret the choices I face each minute of every day and sometimes I do better and sometimes I am careless with the life you have give me. Let me choose kindness over timidity, courage over fear, generosity over acquisitive, remembering that all I have, including my life, my resources, my health, my hospitality are gifts from You and if I should loose time, health, resources or even die expending them trying to good, I trust my self and my loved ones into your care. AMEN"
Some folks (including some of my nearest and dearest) find this nuts. But here is the deal for me: bad things happen sometimes, and I'd much rather pay the price for doing a good thing rather than while surrendering to bullying and threats where I still loose time, health, resources or even die anyway.
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