Safe vs. Good

In C.S. Lewis’ classic “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” Peter asks the Beavers if Aslan is “safe”. Mr. Beaver offers a profound and revealing response…

“Safe? Who said anything about safe? ‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good.”

“Safety” along with its twin brother “comfort” have become foundational tenets of American church culture. In our compulsion to grow our churches - making them sensitive, welcoming and inviting we have emphasized the nature of God characterized by the Dove and the Lamb while forgetting that He is still very much the Lion of the Tribe of Judah.

Somewhere over the past few decades we began to portray God as safe and with that label has come the notion that he is not only safe but weak and small and powerless as well. Sadly God has become smaller in our eyes and sadder still, we have become bigger.

If the truth be told, we would honestly admit that we do not know him. We know of him. We know his stories. We know what others have told us about him. But we do not intimately, personally and experientially know God. For if we truly knew him - The Lord of all lords and King of all kings, the Creator of all that is or ever was, if we truly knew this all powerful, all knowing Lord of Glory, we would know like Mr. Beaver that – no he isn’t safe, but he is indeed very good.

Maybe like me, you’re dissatisfied with a safe, controlled, constrained, in the box kind of God. Maybe like me you long to personally experience the majesty, sovereignty, awe and wonder of the Lion, the good Lion?

If so, know this, He’s always been there and He’s waiting for us even now – just outside the boundaries of our traditions, our rituals, and our comfort zones. If you listen you can hear him, in that mighty roar is the call of your name… go after it, go after him. Is he safe? Of course He isn’t safe, He’s a Lion, but he is very good and you can trust Him!

© Tom Zawacki 2008