This video is a few years old ... if you have the time it is a humorous look at the tendency we all have to cling to "safe".
Yesterday we met with a person of faith that kind of wanted to be convinced that Haiti is a safe place for us to raise kids. She was struggling with our decision/plan to move back in a few months.
Because safety is something she highly values, it felt a bit frustrating knowing that there was very little we could share to gain her understanding and the best thing to do was to just politely explain it as succinctly as we could. The problem is, I've never figured out how to verbally explain this without offending the person that believes it is totally irresponsible to risk anything.
I might start carrying Chan's video around with me.
![Livesay [Haiti] Weblog](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WImkelA85fQ/T774B_tbjMI/AAAAAAAANjM/Zup5rYTxdWs/s810/blog%2Bheader%2BTRL2011-07-07_%2B%25281%2529.jpeg)
Better to love God and die unknown than to love the world and be a hero; better to be content with poverty than to die a slave to wealth; better to have taken some risks and lost than to have done nothing and succeeded at it. -erwin lutzer
16 comments:
oh, that's brilliant. really. it's a good reminder to me. i recommend some sort of tech device to carry around with stuff you want to show people in those teachable moments.. i'm getting a phd in instructional technology so, of course, i've got a couple of them - the apple phone and pad.. it's great that when i find myself at a moment where some sort of media would help me further my point that someone is patient enough to listen to that i have it at my hand. but of course this kind of technology costs a lot of $ and y'all are raising a big family as missionaries. postcards and other paper media work well too. but of course you probably know all this.
I think you're great and I for one can't WAIT until you return to Haiti -it's all part of the bigger plan and I can't wait to see what God is going to do in you and through you.
he manages to get his point across -- but who knows, maybe he is offensive too. :) i just know that in my head i am thinking,
"anything can happen to anyone anywhere ... you cannot guarantee total safety - crap happens and life is messy"
and outside of that -- I have learned way too much from the hard stuff of life -- I needed it to happen in order to be tenderized.
Bubble wrap would be easier but not better. :)
So poignant! Have you read Francis Chan's book, Crazy Love? It's a good one.
Awesome, insightful, motivatingly crazy! He is so real and gets to the TRUTH in a way that causes one to MOVE. Thanks for sharing, Tara. PS I had coffee with Joanna Thiele and she is so psyched to get to Haiti next week...she does not cling to any balance beam!
Really like this. Struck a cord for me on a day that kicked my rear- but has lots of "seaside sightseeing" for Jake.
Love it. And no, not so offensive, mostly Jesus-like. Oh, wait. He was "offensive" to many also.
Offensive...well a lot of us need to be "offended" then. Loved his book "Crazy love" and am reading "Radical" too. Tara, you are right on. Would it be easier to be in the "safety" of the US, maybe, but you look at Britt, you look at Paige and look at the huge impact it has had in their lives. What would their lives look life if you played it safe? Don't try to waste too much energy on the ignorance of others...He has too much planned for you to waste time and energy on explaining His plan for you and your family (again mean that lovingly, no offense to those that "don't get it").
Love Francis Chan ... his books, his videos. Good stuff.
Safety? Oh. My. No.
What is faith, without risk?
How can "faith", and "playing it safe" even go together?
The men of God, in the Bible, who walked by faith, did NOT sit around pondering their safety.
All large families ...
All adoptive families ...
All missionaries ...
have taken RISKS for the Lord. Because that is exactly what He has called us to.
Keep risking.
Keep trusting.
Keep stepping out in FAITH.
Be BLESSED!
Laurel :)
This is a tough one for people to understand. I think we all struggle with it at times.
When I get fearful of something, God always brings the thought that it is much safer to be in God's will and plan for your life than it is to be out of it.
The definition of safety that people have when walking in faith for his plan does not bring promises of no bad things. It brings promises of grace, mercy, growth and love no matter what the situation.
GREAT illustration of the parable of the talents!...and what did the Master say to the one who buried his out of fear? "throw this useless servant into the darkness outside, where there will be wailing & grinding of teeth"...
This is a very good illustration. God loves the clingers every bit as much - of course He does!!!
How much more could we do for Him if we did not cling so tightly to our safe and easy version of life/faith?
Thanks for sharing this.
Love this video and posted it on my Facebook a few weeks back. I got a GREAT response...even from unsaved friends. :)
love it. down with safe.
You know, I needed this right now. Mind you, I've danced a bit on the balance beam, but I find myself wanting to play it safe now.
I imagine it might be offensive to some, but maybe they're the ones who need to hear it most.
Thank you for introducing me to Mr. Chan. It appears I have a bit of reading to do now. ;)
Oh, thank you for sharing this!
Thanks for posting this. I used it in my sermon this weekend. I hope you're not offended that I copied the idea. (:
Jason McBride
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