So, I was reading in Mark the other day (The Lord has spoken volumes to me as I’ve encountered His Word in a fresh way through The Message – I love what Eugene Paterson set out to do and I thank God for him!)…anyway, I happened to be in Mark, reading the narrative surrounding Christ’s betrayal, death, and resurrection.  Once again, I had to stop and could read no further as I came across some words that pierced my heart:

         “Peter followed at a safe distance…”

           Just let that sink in for a moment.

 I don’t know what kinds of feelings or thoughts those words stir in you, but for me, I am incredibly convicted and challenged by them. How many times have I wanted to play it safe when it comes to following Christ? How many times have I been too bound up by my own pride or fear or insecurities to boldly walk in to the darkness and proclaim light and life in Jesus’ Name? How many times have I been tempted to “hedge my bets” just in case things didn’t quite work out the way I hoped/believed they would? How many times have I ignored those inner promptings from the Holy Spirit, because they required risk and sacrifice on my part? How many times have I kept my mouth shut, because I didn’t want to rock the boat or possibly offend someone? How many times have I tried to follow Christ “at a safe distance?”

 DOES ANYONE ELSE EVER WANT TO SCREAM BECAUSE THEIR LIVES ARE SO “SAFE?!” After the rooster crowed twice, Peterson simply wrote that Peter “collapsed in tears.” I have to confess that I did the same thing as I allowed the Holy Spirit to reveal to me just how often I have done exactly as Peter did.

 O, God, forgive me!! I don’t want to be safe, Lord! NOT if it means that I let You down when it matters most! O, God, please give me courage. Please increase my faith. Please take every fiber of my being to make it surrendered and obedient to You, no matter what, no matter where, no matter how. I want to be right on Your heels, Jesus! That is the safest place for me to be.

 How about you? Where or how in your life are you “following Jesus at a safe distance?” We will never live the abundant lives Christ died to bring us if we only ever play it safe.

 Although it’s looking at “safe” from a slightly different angle, I can’t help but remember Mr. Beaver’s description of Aslan in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe: “Safe? Who said anything about safe? ‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King, I tell you.”

 Hmm…so, maybe following on Christ’s heels won’t be “safe” but it will be good!!