a safe place

There are no “if’s” in God’s world. And no places that are safer than other places. The center of His will is our only safety—O Corrie, let us pray that we may always know it!
-The Hiding Place

A few things have happened in the past week to cause me to think on this idea of safety.

1. A man following me home, blocking me in, getting out of his car to yell at me for "cutting him off."
2. A car break-in followed by a friend getting shot at (he's okay, thankfully).

I kept thinking after these things happened... well what if.....? What if....? If you know me, you know I tend to be on the more anxious side of things. I thought of this quote from one of my favorite books. All is well if I am with Him. Would I wish to be anywhere else? On a really bad day, I might think I would. And what is my idea of safety, anyway? Freedom from physical or emotional pain, control?

The more and more I try to control and protect myself, the more anxious I am. He is the one who has created all things through Him and for Him, holds all things together, and is reconciling all things to Himself (Col 1). As I've been thinking on Him, the more I know He alone is all-wise. He knows what I need more than I do. He is more interested in me getting to where I need to be than I am in getting there. And I wouldn't even begin to have an idea of how to get anywhere if I can't even see my needs clearly. So, if He's in control of all things and He only is all wise- then I will trust Him that I am safe exactly where He has me. Not that I won't be harmed or hurt, but I am safe.

Calmly we look behind us,
on joys and sorrows past,
We know that all is mercy now,
and shall be well at last;
Calmly we look before us,--
we fear no future ill,
Enough for safety and for peace,
if Thou art with us still.
Jane Borthwick