Let me be honest: I am not one to knock on the bathroom door in a public place. Take, for instance, the single stall bathroom at Starbucks. I will simply turn the handle and push, assuming (which we all know isn’t the best idea) that if it opens, no one is inside. That way we can all avoid the awkward response conversation that comes with the polite knock. Since I apply this little ideology to my bathroom checking, I assume that others do the same, causing me to double-check the lock or panic if I suddenly don’t remember ever locking the door.
So what’s the point?
No matter how many times I check to make sure the little button is pressed, knob is turned, or latch has been hooked, the lock could break or simply not work at any time. Thankfully I have not yet experienced this, but it’s always a possibility. Small things, like a lock, or big things, like a major home security system, seem to provide people with a rather false sense of security. When it gets down to the nitty-gritty, these things cannot protect us from every possible danger. Natural disasters don’t care whether or not your house has door and window sensors or if you leave every door unlocked.
Why do we put such an emphasis on having these safety measures if they are ultimately inadequate?
There are many answers to that question. Some do these things because it’s what they know, how they grew up, or what society says should be done. Others use safety precautions because they can prevent or provide aid in various crises and situations. And then some things, like fire alarms, are required by law. Overall, knowing that these precautions are in place gives most people a sense of comfort and peace.
These common safety measures can be seen in your daily life and in the lives of those around you. The bigger issue, I believe, is when we see safety measures that we have taken in our spiritual lives. This happens when we check off reading our Bible in the morning, but do not really take anything from it. When we treat this time in the Word as just another thing to do, it becomes a little safety measure that makes us feel like we are still being good Christians. We may decide to give a little extra as an offering as a precaution because we feel guilty for falling short in another area of our lives.
We act like these precautions, like little locks, will keep out sin in our lives, when they are actually a facade. Unless we dig deep and seek the Lord’s will in our lives, going through the motions will merely make it look like we are protected spiritually. When a challenge or trial comes our way, only the locks that are strong and well built will hold fast.
Use locks. Have a home security system if you want one-they can be very helpful. When it comes to your relationship with Christ, don’t settle for safety measures that aren’t going to hold when the storm comes. Spend time with Him, fellowship with other believers, and talk to Him daily because these are the things that will build a strong and dependable spiritual lock.
Writer Bio
Shelby is a Senior Elementary Education major with a Spanish minor. She works as a barista and spends mornings in a 2nd grade class as a student teacher. As an Air Force brat, she has moved all around the United States and traveled to several other countries. In her free time, Shelby loves spending time with her family, adventuring with her boyfriend, and making memories with her friends. In every area of her life, God comes first, although she has to remind herself to trust Him in every situation. Through writing, Shelby hopes to show people the great grace of her Savior and how to live life to the fullest.
