“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.”
C.S. Lewis, The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe
Some stories, although meant for children, resonate far more profoundly with adults. As a child, I read The Chronicles of Narnia and thoroughly enjoyed them. How I longed to escape to a wintery wood with the Pevensies and explore the furthest regions of Narnia. When I went back and read them as a teenager, however, there meaning took on a vastly different shape. The desire for adventure still throbbed in my heart, but I began to see the traces of God woven into each and every line of the story. In the fictional adventures from C.S. Lewis’ imagination, I saw the reflection of my own story and faith. In a matter of months, I had re-read each one of the stories at least thrice. The books I had treasured as a child now mean even more to me as a young adult.
My first Sunday in Nampa, the pastor at the church across the street from my university gave a sermon on this transitionary period of life. Quoting Mr. Beaver, he promised us that college wouldn’t be safe, but it would be good. With those words my heart, for the first time, felt truly at home in a town so far from it. How true this reference has proven to be these part eighteen days.
Being authentic isn't safe, but it's good.
Meeting new people isn't safe, but it's good.
Finding your place isn't safe, but it's good.
This new season i'm in isn't safe, but it's good.
In the midst of transition, being real and honest isn't any easy choice. It's hard. Keeping to myself and folding inward was my initial reaction. Forcing myself to step out of my comfort zone, into the unsafe and unknown, has reaped more benefits and blessings than I could ever imagine.
I cannot wait to keep seeing the goodness God has in store. I pray that it won't be safe.
