day 616: Added Security

“Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong.”

It seems that wherever you go these days there is added security. Many office buildings have always had some form of security but today they look more and more like Fort Knox. Even places that never had security before, now have added some low level protection. We have come to a place in time where we can’t trust, so we have to add on these extra layers. Unfortunately, the approach has a trickle-down effect and we all become a little more wary and insecure for fear that something could happen at any time. It has become hard to remember the days before access codes, badges, ID cards, sign in/out, etc. Where once we worked freely, today we are constantly reminded that things aren’t as secure as they may seem.

However, because we can’t trust others, doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t trust at all. If we live and work with no trust at all we will find that the security barriers we build up around us will remove our approachability, cause us to be standoffish, and to be overly guarded. If we are that, then we risk losing our ability to establish relationships and also to be someone who others can reach to in time of need or friendship. We are told in 1 Corinthians to be guarded, but that is to guard our hearts from those things that remove our faith and courage. Where we need the extra security is against the areas of our lives where we are most vulnerable to fall away from our relationship with Christ. If we have that security built up then we will be safe to trust holistically and to allow ourselves to be a full person for ourselves and others. So, yes, add the extra guard, but do ensure that is only to build up the security that is from our faith.

Reference: 1 Corinthians 16:13 (New Living Testament)