Hurts, hugs, and hellos.

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In my short 23 years, I’ve realized that I’m a person who people often approach with their problems. I don’t say this to boast or complain, but I state it as the truth. I count it a privilege. I love talking through issues with others and hopefully helping them even if it’s just a little bit. Frankly, they are so many times I fear that I’m giving the wrong advice. Sometimes I feel inadequate, or too young, or too inexperienced. These fears usually try to move in when I believe the issue presented in front of me is just too enormous. That I will not have the right words to say, at the right time, with the right attitude, and the right spirit. That I won’t allow the Holy Spirit to lead me and I’ll say something stupid.

However, it’s when I’m facing these “huge” problems that the Lord has clearly taught me the meaning of letting go. I can’t fix everything. And trust me, I want to. That’s my personality. I want to fix people, fix their problem, situations, and so on. But I am neither capable of doing that nor does God allow me. He wants me to give it to Him, because only He can fix. So in those moments, I’ve learned the importance of good hugs and a simple hello. There are times I don’t have the words to say to a friend, I can’t recall a Bible verse, and the wisdom that I have seems spent.

In these times, I have learned that sometimes people just need you to meet them where they are. They’re not looking for wise words and grand speeches. They want a hug. I’m serious. They need a small embrace that says, “Hey, I don’t have all the answers. I will never have all the answers, but I’m here.”

A simple touch that reminds people in this world of self reliance and self ambitions that we are not afraid to brush and listen to each other. That’s where the “hello” comes in. You check on people. You’re not expected say the right things, you’re just there to say “Hey, I’m concerned and I’m a listening ear.”

In life, we’ll venture through dark times, but if we learn to listen and embrace each other, we’ll survive. We will have hope and know that even though they are trials, we are not alone.

How seeking safety hinders you...

My  friend and I were talking the other day about how we always tend to play it safe. Actually, she was mainly listening and I was doing the talking. There are times that I know in my life I have wanted to take a risk, but refused because of the presumed consequences. Why do we do that? Because the flesh is geared to protect itself.

As humans, we are naturally drawn to what makes us comfortable. No one willingly wants to be uncomfortable, to hurt, or to be squeezed. The flesh will take until it is fat with self preservation and even then it will continue taking. This is why Jesus’ parables, like The Good Samaritan and The Prodigal Son, irritated so many. Helping someone else requires getting to their level, no matter how dirty or bloody that level may be. It requires you to leave a place of warmth and embrace the depravity of your neighbor. Mercy requires sacrifice.

Another problem with the safest route is that it speaks of the presence of fear. Sometimes we can be so fearful of taking a leap that we are left paralyzed. We don’t realize that all you have to do is take the first step.

A friend once told me that when she watches the Chronicles of Narnia, she knows she’s Susan.

“I hate that!” she said. “I’m always cautious. I want to be Lucy. I want to be the one who is not scared of seeking adventure.”

Life in the Spirit does not guarantee us safety. If that’s what you’re looking for in the Christian life, I’m about to burst your bubble. Don’t misunderstand me. The Lord is our protector, but He will ask you to leap in faith. Have you perused the stories in the Bible lately? A life that seeks to glorify God will be called to do just that—to glorify God even if it means death. Have you read how the disciples died? The early Christians? There’s nothing safe about being crucified upside down, boiled in oil, or have your flesh ripped by lions.

God asked Abraham to move to foreign lands, asked a stuttering Moses to speak, and Gideon to lead with 300 warriors.  I love the Message translation of 1 John 4:18

“There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful life- fear of death, fear of judgment – is not yet fully formed in love.”

Fear is crippling. God asks us to nestle ourselves in his love and therefore, we are able to move by faith. He will ask us to move to the “dangerous” places—whether it be mentally, emotionally, or physically. But if He is with us, friends, who can be against us, and with that I leave you with the words of Mr. Beaver in the Chronicles of Narnia.

"Safe?" said Mr. Beaver "Who said anything about safe? 'Course he isn't safe. But he's good. He's the King, I tell you."