Is God safe? He made pussy cats, puppies and mice. But He also made tigers, lions, bears, sharks and scorpions and spiders of all dangerous kinds. I sometimes wonder if we try to domesticate God?
I have come to the conviction that God will never be domesticated. Planting a church that aims to plant churches is not easy. At times it’s downright difficult and challenges us at all levels; in our relationships, leadership, families, financially, even our beliefs, our faith. There are wonderful high points and winning power encounters, yet we also know that the dominion of darkness is arrayed against any kind of Jesus Kingdom bleeding into community and beyond. Many of us know the effects of this. Yet the Church (church planting) is still God’s plan A.
In C S Lewis’ famous work The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, the Pevensie children find themselves in Narnia, with news that Aslan the king – a lion! – is on the move. Lucy is somewhat frightened and asks Beaver, “is Aslan safe?” (Aslan being a type of Jesus). Beaver’s reply was “Oh no He’s not safe, but He’s good, He’s the King I tell you!”
May I suggest Christianity, security, comfort and safety don’t mix easily. Look at Paul’s life, or John the Baptist, or any of the disciples for that matter, or Jesus! John and Jesus were killed by the time they were 34! Paul and the disciples had uncomfortable lives.
Suffice to say, Safety, security, comfort and church planting don’t mix! Yet it’s still God’s plan that His church is planted and multiplies. Man and women throughout the centuries have willingly and valiantly picked up the challenge of extending God’s Kingdom and that’s the reason many of us are part of His church today!
Let’s take our opportunity to change history in families and communities… what can you do to forward the mission of His church and bleed His Kingdom into society?
