Hey there!
It’s time for another round of Five Minute Friday!
If you’re new, welcome! We’re passing the chocolate … 😉
We’re the crew who set a timer for five minutes and type furiously every week — and we’d *love* to have you join us!
Learn more about Five Minute Friday here.
By the way, we’re getting SUPER CLOSE to having news to share about the next Five Minute Friday RETREAT!
Who’s excited?!
Hopefully by next week I’ll be able to spill the beans with a date and a venue announcement.
Can’t wait!
This week’s Five Minute Friday prompt is:
[Tweet “Join us for Five Minute Friday as we write on the prompt, SAFE!”]
Ready? Setting my timer for five minutes, and … GO.
As I thought about the word, SAFE, this week, a certain quote kept coming to mind.
Do you know this one, from C.S. Lewis’ The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe?
“Aslan is a lion — the Lion, the great Lion.”
“Ooh,” said Susan. “I thought he was a man. Is he — quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion.”
“Safe?” said Mr. Beaver. “Who said anything about safe? ‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King, I tell you.”
I think about current affairs and the tense political climate and the hoards of people around the globe living in fear day in and day out. I look around my house and realize it’s been a while since I have felt unsafe. In fact, I wonder how many middle class Americans in suburbia have ever felt unsafe.
And have I ever really considered God to be unsafe? Am I too comfortable in His presence? Not reverent enough?
What does it mean to fear Him and hide in Him at the same time?
STOP.
The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. ~ Psalm 18:2
Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me,
for in you my soul takes refuge;
in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge,
till the storms of destruction pass by.
I cry out to God Most High,
to God who fulfills his purpose for me. ~ Psalm 57:1-2
Now it’s your turn! Share your own five minutes of free writing below, then leave a comment on the blog linked up before yours. And don’t forget to have fun!
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Kate, I love, love this analogy it’s exactly what I needed to hear today. Thank you.
You’re welcome, Bonnie! So glad you stopped by!
What a thought-provoking essay, Kate.
If I remember correctly, the word ‘fear’, as in God-fearing, was closer to ‘respect’ when the KJV was written, and the word itself has hung on through the centuries. It males sense to me, because I can’t really imagine fearing God. Being awe-struck, yes.
But fear? Not likely.
I could, however, be quite wrong!
Yes, I’ve also associated the phrase “fear of the Lord” as a sense of deep and sincere reverence. Thanks so much for being here, Andrew!
Kate,
Our sons and I do a Q & A journal each night. The question a few nights back was what book character would you like to meet? Our ten year old son said Aslan! It is a neat book, and do recall that quote vividly when you re-type it here. My husband is reading the CS Lewis series aloud to our fifth grade son. We enjoy book time at night. I’m thankful it makes us all feel safe and part of a routine when we read and pray with our boys before bed. Love to you and your family! Jenn
Aww, I love that, Jenn! Thank you for sharing!
O! Kate! I just read your post, and as they say….”Great minds.” Last night as I closed my Kindle and shut off the lights I knew it was THAT quote, which would inspire my FMF post this week. Safe? Be sure to read mine! xo
That’s so fun, Susan! I love it when that happens. 🙂
Great topic. I often wonder about fearing vs. respecting God as in the first comment. I would say a healthy dose of both would be good. Because he can do anything to discipline us and he will if we don’t respect him as he wishes. Thanks for hosting!
I agree, Sherry! Thank you for taking the time to read and comment! Blessings to you!
Love your post and the C.S. Lewis quote. Such a good reminder.
Thanks for being here, Denise! Hope you have a great week!
I’m reading The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe to two of my classes right now! And after I read today’s section, I read your post–and today was the day where we read about Aslan being safe! What a cool coincidence.
That is cool, Anita! So fun! Enjoy the rest of the book! 🙂
Oh I love your reference to Aslan. I remember this passage. What a wonderful analogy C.S.Lewis brings. Aslan is a Lion, but He is good. Later on Susan would get a chance to touch Aslan’s hair, just like she imagined and she would feel good and safe and not at all scared. How wonderful to remember that we are under His mighty care. Thanks for reminding us of this passage!
You’re welcome, Alice! Thanks for being here and taking the time to comment!