Fear Focuses On Safety
It is fear and unbelief which motivate us to seek safety. None of us are completely exempt from this since we all lack the perfect faith and perfect love that eliminates fear. Fear seeks security and is contrary to risk-taking faith (Heb 10:39). We want to avoid relationship hurt – so we stay alone or keep the dangers of love at arm’s distance in the relationships we have. Protecting what we have becomes more important than venturing out for more. As a result, our relationships and service are limited. It is easy to be like the lazy, fearful servant who played it safe by burying his talent rather than risk using it (Mt 25:25). In the end, we suffer and don’t experience what the Lord had for us.
We need to learn that “the center of God’s will is our only safety” (Betsie ten Boom). To know His will, we must discern and accept the truth which can set us free from distrust and fear (Jn 8:32). This means we must “be prepared for Truth at all hours and in the most fantastic disguises. This is the only safety” (Christopher Morley). The truth about any particular matter can be hard to detect, easily missed, and not to our liking. Hence, we often prefer caution and alleged security. Yet “the righteous are bold as a lion” (Prov 28:1). Furthermore, “If the highest aim of a captain were to preserve his ship, he would keep it in port forever” (St. Thomas Aquinas). However, that wouldn’t be acting consistent with our prayer “Thy Kingdom come” (Mt 6:10).
We should seek out truth while taking the risk to love others and be loved by them. We need to leave port by unfurling our sails so the Wind of God, His Spirit, can bear us along toward the maturity and service He has for us. This may not satisfy our fleshly desire for security but it is worth it. “The only place outside Heaven where you can be perfectly safe from all the dangers of love is – Hell” (C. S. Lewis).
Comforting others is costly but worth it.