“Who said anything about safe? ‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King, I tell you.”

I have a great appreciation for the spiritual gems with which C.S. Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia are liberally endowed, and I’ve been thinking a lot about the well-known paradox of Aslan, as presented by Mr. Beaver.

I suppose I would be considered a relatively adventuresome person. Traveling, roller-coasters, skydiving, other adrenaline-pumping activities…I’m up for anything once. I like to think that I’m a “no fear” kind of girl.

But threats come in many forms; some tangible, some not. I don’t always do so well with the things I can’t see, face head-on. Uncertainties. Unknowns. Daunting tasks, interminable drudgeries. Impending changes that I tend to anticipate long before they arrive. Things that upset the balance of my safety and security; nameless, vague things that nevertheless creep in like a cloud edging in on the perimeter of the sun.

I’m realizing how much time I spend asking God to take the niggling doubts and worries away. To alleviate the pressure. To “fix” things. To secure the future. To tie up the loose ends so everything can be all nice and tidy. To not push me too hard. To just let me be comfortable, for goodness’ sake.

After a while, such a “pursuit of happiness” is exhausting. The idol of comfort distorts my view of God Himself, tainting His goodness and sufficiency – as if He is less than perfect so long as I feel less than perfectly secure.

In reality, I’m praying the wrong prayer. I need to be strengthened, not spared; heartened for participation in a fierce, grand journey, not permitted to hide in my hobbit hole. God’s ways are often way beyond my comprehension – and comfort level. The journey may not always be exhilarating, and I can’t always see the final destination. But I can trust the thorough goodness of my King.

He isn’t a tame lion, you know.

But He is good.