I wanted to write a few posts on answering some questions we are frequently asked regarding Burundi. This is definitely in the top few, isn’t it dangerous there? We have a few responses to that question. There’s the practical answer, why yes, yes it is. Did you think about the fact that you drove in a 3,000 pound metal vehicle averaging 50 mph today with strangers surrounding you that could make one single mistake that changes your life and the life of every passenger in the car today? I think we have a skewed view of safety in America. We feel so safe and secure, but my kids are seeing and being exposed to more crime than ever in the United States and our little city isn’t exempt. A 5th grader taking a gun to school, a 22 year old who almost walked past our house on his way to shoot 3 people at the mall, and dare I even mention the confusion my boys have when a female that looks like a male introduces herself as they, them. Is it safe? Are you kidding me?

Perhaps, my answer should be, what Scripture called us to safety? There are a lot of verses about safety. He is our safe dwelling, He will lead them in safety (Psalm 4, Psalm 78). I’m pretty sure Jesus’ words to the disciples were the opposite of safe…all men will hate you because of Me, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves (Mark 13, Luke 10). We can idolize safety so much that we’re unwilling to follow and obey.

Of course, I am a mom, I want my kids to be safe. Of course, I do not want anything tragic or difficult to happen to them, but I pray that more than wanting them to be safe I want them to be bold as lions. This world is not safe and to be a strong man of God my 3 boys will be in the midst of a fierce battle. Their safety will be found under the wing of the Almighty God, and they will only have perfect peace when their minds are steadfast on Him.

I’ve been studying the story of Jesus walking on the water a lot recently. A few things I see in the text is that Peter didn’t say, “Jesus, call me out if it is safe and I won’t get hurt!” And Jesus didn’t respond saying, “Okay, Peter, come on out it’s safe and secure now!” Peter said, “If it’s You, call me out, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Come.” There was nothing safe about what Peter was about to do, it was illogical and there were probably 11 other disciples-followers of Jesus- that stayed in the boat and watched. I think Peter was a little rash and completely crazy for suggesting to be commanded out of the boat.

So, in all honesty, I don’t want to feel safe as the world sees it, because that safe is comfortable and complacent often times. I’m not going to run into danger, but at the same time I and my family are in a real battle so I say to my boys, “Ask Him to call you out, boys! Dare to step out of the boat, dare to walk to Your Savior and find out more about who He is, please!” They’ll find the safety of God to be the most comforting place they could ever rest even when they’re in the midst of life’s most difficult battles that will be raging against them. I pray my boys faith grow deep roots that nothing can uproot because life WILL be dangerous, it won’t be safe but this God we serve is worth every bit of it.