Yesterday’s quote talked about distinguishing between danger and fear.
“Danger is real. Fear is a choice.”
I added a comment. Jesus never said, “Be safe.” He said, “Don’t be afraid.”
I don’t believe I’m a daredevil, nor especially fearless. But most folks would agree that riding a handcycle, sharing the road with cars and trucks, is not the safest activity. I’m low to the ground, and even with my flag I’m less visible than regular cyclists.
I’ve also chosen at times to ride some rather insane courses.
Perhaps the craziest of all was the Tamiami Trail through the Florida Everglades. For perhaps 50-60 miles, I cranked on a road that paralleled a swampy canal. A canal that was home to gorgeous prehistoric-looking birds – and alligators!
So… traffic whizzing on my left, alligators less than 10 feet to my right. And I’m on a bike with my backside a few inches off the ground. To deny the very real danger would be simply silly.
It was also one of the most beautiful rides I’ve ever done. And, of course, I wasn’t doing it for myself. It was about following a God-inspired dream and supporting a group of special kids.
So, I chose to continue, to complete the tour of Florida’s perimeter. I DID watch that canal closely, and we only stopped him on the opposite side of the road.
+ + +
When Jesus said, “Don’t be afraid,” he wasn’t telling us to ignore danger. He wasn’t saying we should deny the natural fear response to dangerous circumstances.
He was reminding us… we don’t have to be controlled by our feelings of fear. We can choose to move forward, knowing he’s with us.
He never promised safety. Or security. He was pretty clear – following him was risky business.
Still is.