Who Said Anything About Safe?

Running an ultramarathon is inherently dangerous. When you commit yourself to covering long distances, over tough terrain, in unpredictable weather, you are willingly exposing yourself to high levels of risk. This is why most ultra-marathons have a mandatory kit list which is designed with the runners safety in mind, factoring in the worst case scenarios.

Nevertheless, on more than one occasion I have witnessed mountain rescue helicopters hoist runners off the hillside mid race. Sadly, in recent years there have been number of high-profile incidents in which ultra-runners have lost their lives in the mountains.

The Beautiful but dangerous Cross Fell during the Spine Race 2024

We willingly expose ourselves to risk, not because we want to get hurt, but because there is value and reward in overcoming danger and adversity. Risk taking is life giving.

Volvo recently ran an advertising campaign on Sky Atlantic with the tag line:

“Great stories start with feeling safe” Volvo

They could not be more wrong! The most basic knowledge of literature of film tells the opposite tale. From Frodo, in Lord of the Rings, to Simba, in The Lion King, great stories start with feeling afraid. Safety is always an option to the protagonist, of course. Frodo can say no to the adventure that awaits and choose instead the security of home. Simba can deny his claim to the throne and live a quiet life in the forest. But in doing so, they would take an even greater gamble in making themselves passive bystanders to the malevolent forces that wish destruction on them and their kinsfolk. There is a cost to choosing adventure, but the cost of choosing safety may be even higher.

Jesus puts it like this:

“whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?" Matthew 16.25-26

In the Christian life we somehow have this idea that the best way to endure over time is to take the cautious approach, tip-toe our way through life gently, avoiding persecution and hardship and staying out of bother. But this isn’t what Jesus instructs and this isn’t the example we see from the great cloud of witnesses.

Consider Moses who risked his life to take on Pharoah, the mightiest ruler on earth, leading the people of Israel out of slavery. Consider the boy David who stepped up to face the formidable Goliath, and claimed victory for God’s people. Consider Daniel who defiantly prayed on bended knee under threat of the death penalty. Consider the disciples who abandoned their nets and left family behind to devote their lives to Jesus of Nazareth. Consider Paul who placed his life in God’s hands daily as he travelled the ancient world to spread the good news of Jesus. Each risked their very lives to follow God’s call, knowing that true life is found in surrendering to God’s will.

I long for a church in this nation that will rediscover an appetite for risk and a thirst for adventure. In order to do this, we might need to re-consider our percettion of Jesus himself.

In Jesus we see meekness, kindness, gentleness, humility, stillness and peace. He is the fullest most perfect expression of these qualities. He was never hurried or rushed. He didn’t strive. He carried himself with poise and control. His journey took him to the cross where, without protest, he submitted himself to death as a sacrificial lamb.

But there is another side to the Jesus coin. Jesus is almighty, powerful, dynamic, antagonistic, unpredictable and challenging. He’s the man who walks on water and commands the wind and waves. He’s the God who strikes down armies. He’s the saviour who takes on Satan 1 on 1 on the cross, delivering the decisive knockout blow, defeating death and claiming victory once and for all. Yes, Jesus is the Lamb that was slain, but he is also the Lion of Judah.

I, for one, am pleased about the number of recent worship songs that remind us that we have a Saviour with a ferocious roar.

It’s no accident that C.S Lewis depicts Jesus as a lion in The Chronicles of Narnia. In The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, Lucy is apprehensive about meeting Aslan and asks:

“Is he safe?" "Safe?" said Mr. Beaver. "Who said anything about safe? 'Course he isn't safe. But he's good. He's the King."

What if you and I were to take our lead from Jesus and become the sort of people who are known for being dangerous, and good? What if we abandoned our desire for comfort in order to step out in faith and give our lives fully to Christ? What if we became known in the world once again for being a people of courage who err on the side of adventure?

Maybe, just maybe, we would find ourselves traveling on a path that leads to new life.

This post is part of a series of short blogs titled Faith Endurance, based on a sermon series preached at St Peter’s Morley in Spring 2024. Subscribe to get notifications each time a new blog is released.