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Pondering Safety

March 6, 2024

Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 5-9  |  Matthew 5:17-19  |  Psalm 78:1-6         

Give ear to our prayers, O Lord, and direct the way of your servants in safety under your protection, that, amid all the changes of our earthly pilgrimage, we may be guarded by your mighty aid; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

I find writing my first blog a bit daunting, yet Pam said it’s actually a wonderful experience! We are asking where, how, in your own words, you are personally hearing the Spirit speak to YOU.

The part of today’s readings that spoke to me, I found in The Collect. “Hear our prayers and direct our way IN SAFETY, UNDER YOUR PROTECTION…” Abraham Maslow developed a pyramid concept of hierarchy of needs that motivate our actions. He ranks safety more basic than love. This may not be something everyone agrees with, yet I believe it deserves deep consideration as I often long to feel safe.

What does, in safety, under God’s protection, mean to us in this chaotic world of ours? As a child I wanted my safety guaranteed. All too soon I learned that there were no guarantees. At times I felt that my protections were solely up to me-don’t get angry, beware of certain people, focus on safety, don’t speak up. Every child sets up protections. Through the years hearts toughen up…as a protection against hurtful situations. In later life many realize the old protections are getting in their way. I realized this-yet following through cannot be done alone. I know, I have tried it.

Lent gives us time to consider a true inner conversion of heart as we seek to follow Christ’s will more faithfully…to focus on how God speaks to us. It is said that the longest journey we take is from our head to our heart. After years of trying to do that on my own, Lent has brought me the answer! …Follow the collect! God is letting me know that he DOES hear my prayers for safety and protection. He lets me know that ever so gradually I have been undergoing the conversion of heart-little by little! I am learning to let go of old protections and ALLOWING! Allowing long hidden feelings to be felt. Allowing my eyes to really open, my ears to really hear! Allowing my voice to speak for me! …Allowing the Holy Spirit to take control of my life…let God be in the/my driver’s seat! I pray to go deeper and deeper into holiness…deeper into feeling safe and trusting…ALLOWING LOVE!

This world of ours is unsafe in many ways. Through it all I feel God’s presence within, his encouragement to accept my humanness, and with his help I can be vulnerable and available, regardless of whether the world is safe or not. I begin to feel guarded by God’s mighty aid, through Jesus Christ our Lord…

Thank you, Pam, you were right! Writing this has been very important to me.

Judy Ireland