envelope of safety
Posted By Mauri on May 21, 2006
Here’s a try at a short post that doesn’t use the words “bike” or “wreck.” I was riding two days ago, the first longer out-and-about ride (16-18 miles) since the…you know. It was a wonderful day, warm, not too breezy…perfect for a ride to/thru Champoeg Park—down the forest path and out the Buttville side. (OK, Butteville - but don’t tell me you haven’t been tempted to say it.) I was feeling strong on the ups and fast on the downs…altho’ a little reserved yet, probably because of the…uh, you know.
As I rode, the small “envelope of safety” inherent in my long-wheelbase recumbent became very apparent—sharply so on the bridge with biGrigs rumbling by…and amplified by our recent…you know.
So how to ride at all? Or drive on two-lane roads (always just a couple of feet from sudden death)? Or deal with the larger threats…like the possibility of a bird flu pandemic or terrorist nuclear attack…or who knows what? One common approach is to live in denial…just don’t think about it and hope for the best. Another is to consider the risk and take measured precaution. Maybe that’s what you do.
I recall watching a news conference…with either a real bigWig or bW wannabe, and the question was “Can you promise we’ll be safe?” For just a second I thought he might tell the truth—I pictured him laughing and saying the obvious…”what kind of dumb question is that?…but vote for me anyway.” Naw.
Probably most of us wish our envelope of safety was wider, and more stable, and regularly take steps…but I’m feeling a bump to consider not being quite so committed to it—not so much on the…you know, or two-lane roads, but in other areas…like watching/listening for God (and paying attention to others doing the same) and stepping out in obedience. To do what, you say? Not a dumb question at all, and I’m not sure…yet.
Christ is the only envelope of safety we have! Isn’t it wonderful that we can all fit in it and that it has exact postage!
I remember the time we were helping our friend, Winnie, with her OMF book display at a Missions Conference. She was over 80 at the time and had been a former missionary to China until she was forced out of the country during the Cultural Revolution. She had seen and experienced much hardship and uncertainty in her service there, but her optimistic outlook never flagged. While we were helping her man her booth a young woman was unburdening her heart to Winnie. She and her husband were anticipating going to the mission field in a foreign country and the young woman was concerned about her safety on the field. The young woman said, “we might die” while there. Winnnie’s reponse was, “So…..die! What’s the result of that? You’ll be in the presence of Jesus.” This drew me up short….do I really believe that? And if I do, then why am I worried about safety? Not that I should be reckless, but certainly I should not be anxious! Phillipians 1:21 says, “for me, to live is Christ, to die is gain”. This takes on a whole new meaning in this context!
Someone gave me this CS Lewis quote around the time of Sept. 11, 2001 and I keep it by my desk at work:
“It is perfectly ridiculous to go about whimpering and drawing long faces because the scientists have added one more chance of painful and premature death to a world which already bristles with such chances and in which death itself is not a chance, but a certainty.”
“Let that bomb, when it comes, find us doing sensible and human things — praying, working, teaching, listening to music, bathing the children, playing tennis, chatting to out friends over a pint and a game of darts — not huddled together like frightened sheep and thinking about bombs.”
“They may break our bodies, but they need not dominate out minds.”
Not exactly about “you know”, but still a good way to look at life - especially for a worrier like me