Every day we are told at least once, but I would say more than once, ‘be safe’, ‘be careful’ — we rarely tell people when they are leaving, ‘have courage’ or ‘be brave’. 

I don’t think there is anything wrong with telling someone to ‘be safe’ per say or to in fact avoid running head long into destruction. Between the two extremes though, we seem to be missing the dance. Numbing ourselves and losing the focus. We’ve taken away all sense of trust and adventure and exchanged it for safety and comfort…. and boredom. We shroud our fear and distrust in concern for others- but it’s not truly concern – we are preoccupied with much… We are worried and afraid of losing something… but God says, don’t be. “Fear not not! For I am with thee.”

It is no fool who gives up what he can not keep to gain what he can not lose. -Jim Elliot

One who never turned his back but

   marched breast forward, 

Never doubted clouds would break, 

Never dreamed though right were

   worsted, wrong would triumph,

Held we fall to rise, are baffled to fight better

    Sleep to wake. 

-Asolando by Robert Browning

“Look at me boy!” Podo said. “When it comes time to fight, you fight. Even if those Fangs tear us to pieces, we’ll meet the Maker knowin’ we fought hard for somethin’ good. So don’t you shake your head like your’re givin’ up.” – The Wingfeather Saga: On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness, Andrew Peterson

These are beautiful quotes aren’t they!? So what’s my point? 

I don’t believe comfort and safety should be our focus. I love a warm home, a full belly, and beauty – but it can’t be what I’m pursuing. I must turn my eyes towards Him and let blessings fall as they may, trusting God is good. In my relationship with God, I must move past, “What can I gain?” And go further up and further in to dance and live with my Creator, my God. 

He came for me and He came for you. With every breath that we take and know Him better, we are able to see more clearly the brokenness of this world. This is heartbreaking, yes. Absolutely. “Wrong things happen actually because things are wrong really.” -Oswald Chambers. We live in a broken world – and this was not God’s order. But it also reveals why we are in such need of a Savior – And God also reveals – He will never leave us or forsake us. Take courage – quit following the world’s ways and fight for what is good – not with cruel words and hidden agendas – Fight for the light – Fight for the only thing that is truly Good! God is so much more than we could ever need. Live like we actually believe that. Be brave! 

In the book of Job, God is challenged by Satan who says that Job only loves God because of the blessing God has given Job – “and that no man on earth loves You for Your own sake.”-OC

This is heartbreaking and beautiful to me. Isn’t that the perfect image of God in us. He created us to simply know, trust, and love Him; to enjoy the cosmos He created for us – To bring us joy and peace. And when I look at my earthly relationships, that is what I truly want too. I desire for those that love me to love me for who I am, not what I do for them. While I have made mistakes, and wish for people to see past my shortcomings and look to my heart, God has made no mistakes. He truly is perfectly Good… but how do we know this unless we get to know Him? 

Pursue Him; He will not disappoint. Let go just a little of this world and rest in His glory. Be brave! He has overcome the world! -John 16:33

Now, a little art.

Drawing with kids brightens the soul! They are fearless artists. 

(Just a side note: The cat got on the roof because I planted the tree too close to the house. 🙂 I love kids!