"As they passed the rows of houses they saw through the open doors that men were sweeping and dusting and washing dishes, while the women sat around in groups, gossiping and laughing.
"What has happened?" the Scarecrow asked a sad-looking man with a bushy beard, who wore an apron and was wheeling a baby-carriage along the sidewalk.
"Why, we've had a revolution, your Majesty -- as you ought to know very well," replied the man; "and since you went away the women have been running things to suit themselves. I'm glad you have decided to come back and restore order, for doing housework and minding the children is wearing out the strength of every man in the Emerald City."
"Hm!" said the Scarecrow, thoughtfully. "If it is such hard work as you say, how did the women manage it so easily?"
"I really do not know," replied the man, with a deep sigh. "Perhaps the women are made of cast-iron.""
- L. Frank Baum, "The Land of Oz"
Saturday, August 21, 2010
You ever watch this show on A&E called "The First 48"? It follows real life homicide investigations in the first 48 hours after a murder. An episode I was watching tonight covered a murder investigation in Harris County, Texas, the place of Houston, my hometown. I still have lots of family and friends there, so despite having been gone 16 years, I am accustomed to the growing concerns about crime -- gangs, drugs, illegal immigrants, etc -- in the Houston area. My brother in law is an HPD detective, so I hear some of these concerns from a guy with skin in the game.
It was easy tonight to think, "Man, I'm glad I don't live there any more."
Now we live in Vermont. One of the unofficial mottoes of Vermont is: "What happens in Vermont stays in Vermont. But nothing ever happens here."
But as I reflected upon my relief over not living in Houston any more, I thought to myself how even more dangerous our current home can be. I don't live in a place that even has suburbs any more, but I reminded myself how dangerous it is to live in the suburbs.
How dangerous it is to be rich! How dangerous it is to never be uncomfortable! How dangerous it is to never be sick! How dangerous it is to never lack! How dangerous it is to live a safety-laden life.
In fact, if I'm tracking with the Scriptures on this stuff, I have to realize that safety and comfort are as dangerous to the soul as insecurity and discomfort are to the body.
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Comments on "Safety is Dangerous":
4. Raindream
- 08/23/2010 12:57 pm CDT
I think John Piper wrote a book about that, but safety is so tempting. I'll go hide in my corner now.
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I think so too. Anything that makes apathy, self satisfaction or arrogance easy to come by is dangerous to the soul.