Some time ago, I was driving down to Sarasota with a Christian radio station on. Every few minutes, the announcer promoted the station with the same line: "Safe for the whole family!"

And I get it. There are plenty of stations where someone might blurt out something you don't want little ears to hear.

But the word stuck with me. Safe? The Christianity I know is anything but safe.

Is Jesus safe? Does following him lead to a safe life? Is the Bible safe? (Try reading the book of Judges aloud at the dinner table.)

Think about the people who go overseas to dig wells or set up medical clinics. People who serve in inner-city ministries. People who work for peace and reconciliation. People who give beyond their means. People who take the risk of forgiving someone who hurt them.

A life of self-giving love can be pretty dangerous.

In C.S. Lewis's The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, the great lion Aslan is the Christ figure. When the children first hear about him, Lucy asks whether he's safe. Mr. Beaver can hardly believe the question.

"Safe?" said Mr. Beaver… "Who said anything about safe? 'Course he isn't safe. But he's good."

Not safe.

But good.

Prayer: Holy God, you call us to think beyond our own needs, to live for others, to take up our cross and follow you. Move us out of the safety of our comfort zones and into lives of service. When the way feels risky, help us trust that you are good. We ask in the name of the One who gave even his life for us. Amen.