The Definition of "Safe"

Have you noticed that our ordinary farewell statements, like “Go in peace” or “Vaya con Dios” (“go with God”) have now been replaced by the utterly senseless line “Be safe”? I understand (and use) the first two departure messages I mentioned, but I refuse to use the “be safe” motto. Why? Because I refuse to speak nonsense in the name of political correctness.

As an English professor, I believe that words have meaning. When I say, “Go in peace” to my students in the classroom, I am truly praying that their path will have elements of peace and joy. However, their path is their own; I am merely praying for something that is quite easy for them to grasp (in other words, God’s peace, which is available to everyone). I cannot influence their choices, beyond voicing that peace is possible.

My Spanish phrases are limited, but one I learned 45 years ago, and which means a great deal to me, is “vaya con Dios.” I think it reflects my primary goal in life: to share the love of God through Christ, which God Himself showered on me almost 50 years ago. When people leave my presence, I want to remind them of the reality of God in every aspect of our lives. Some people know this and respond; some do not. Whether or not a person knows Christ, I pray that they do – or will.

The Spanish phrase is also aligned with Scripture, especially the Psalms, which constantly appeal to God to provide forgiveness, compassion, strength, and hope to each individual who approaches him. That, in great and comprehensive terms, is the richest aspect of prayer and reliance on a Sovereign God.

Both of these sayings are in total agreement with Scripture. Christ Himself said, “Peace be with you” (John 20:19) to allay all of His disciples’ fears concerning the majesty and glory of the His risen appearance. He never once said, “Be cautious” or “Be safe”—in fact, He predicted the exact opposite during the Last Supper. “In this world you will have many troubles [in fact, they will hate you, especially because of Me] but cheer up! I have overcome the world!” (John 16:33). Since when has “cheer up [have no fear]” become associated with “be safe [because we are all fearful]”?

           

I have constantly cringed every time I have read or heard the injunction, “Be safe.” How, exactly, does one “be safe”?

·         *  It starts with this assumption: There is danger outside one’s home, and this danger is uncontrollable. Of course, one will admit that there is danger within one’s house, but people have been conditioned to think that this danger is minimal and can be totally controlled – recent flooding, tornadoes, and power outages in my immediate geographical location notwithstanding.

·        *   Another assumption is this: The only way to combat this danger is to flee it or hide from it. The only Being that this works with is the devil (2 Timothy 2:22). Any enemy (other than the devil) that you flee automatically becomes the victor. Any enemy that you hide from automatically is shown to be stronger than you are.
   *  Things progress to this next assumption: This virus is an invisible and lethal enemy “out there, everywhere.” Of course, no one except Superman can see microscopic microbes or viruses, so assuming it is everywhere is the “safe” thing to do. Except it isn’t true. In fact, the opposite is true. Only God is ubiquitous, and evil viruses are not. If the virus were everywhere, all of America would have been infected by Christmas – which, clearly, has not happened.

The truly undemocratic (and unconstitutional) aspect of this whole scenario is that – in the guise of “public safety” – people have been denied their “right[s] to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” This should never be allowed, or even suggested! Numerous despicable practices have been sanctioned – even promulgated – in the name of this mythical “public safety.” Babies continue to be murdered in their mothers’ wombs (deemed “necessary” by immoral politicians); medical care has been selectively administered (rationing of ventilators comes to mind, as well as dictatorial denial of access to certain proven life-saving medicines); worshipers of the Living God have been harassed and fined (in the name of “public order”). Why do unelected “experts” say that we cannot work to support our families, because “the bug is still out there”? People used to scrub their front stoops with bleach to clean filth off the sidewalk – whatever happened to that effective type of hygiene?   

Even “true believers” in the all-powerful C-19 Bug have begun to suspect that the worldwide scare has played into some very sinister hands. Why is the “quarantine” continuing when people want some sunshine and ocean air (both proven anti-viral agents)? Why are grass and trees considered dangerous to humans, even when scientists maintain that the virus cannot live outside of a human host for very long? (I think of the father arrested in an empty park, and my poor neighbors cutting their grass with suffocating masks while mowing 100 yards apart from each other.)

If YOU want to wear a mask around me, that is fine. But I am NOT sick, and I refuse to wear a mask to freely go about my business. Jesus lived in a far more germ-filled and disease-ridden time, and He actually touched and healed grotesque lepers and restored very sick people to perfect health. Did HE ever wear a mask? Did HE instruct His followers to wear PPE? Did HE say to make sure not to spread some germ they caught in Macedonia? If you try to say, “Those times were different,” you expose your lack of common sense and logical deduction. Before you blow this essay away, what did the Lord mean by the verses in Mark 16, when He said, “And these signs will accompany those who believe: In My name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not harm them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will be made well.”

Did you notice the “laying their hands on the sick, and they will be made well” part? Wasn't Jesus speaking about TRUE safety? Has anyone reading this essay claimed this promise in this day and age? Maybe it’s about time that all true believers did.