Inspired by another one of my Sunday School discussions, I write today to question the idea of safety. More specifically, being so cautious that we are not living the way we were meant to live.
Just a few weeks ago, my Sunday School leader had us read an article from Time Magazine’s News Feed blog about how the state of New York is debating whether or not certain games (such as Red Rover) should be banned from summer camps. It discusses the increased risk that these games create, as well as the possible need for extra medical personnel at the camps that allow these games to be played.
I think this is one of those situations where (no matter your age) you might say, “What has this world come to?” Since when was Red Rover so dangerous that it should be banned?
We can’t shelter ourselves from everyday life to the extent of doing away with childish games. God has a plan for all of us. As hard as it may be to understand, God does not want to harm us, but He does allow it to happen. Sin has brought pain into the world and He allows us to be affected by it.
I do believe that there is a difference between putting yourself in harm’s way and having something happen that is completely unforeseen, however. Either way, there is no way to prevent every danger of this world and it is not our right to question God. We also cannot point fingers and say that God allowed something to happen because it was deserved. We don’t have all the answers and it’s not fair to try and understand it all. We do know, though, that life goes on and we have a fate that is meant for more than just this life.
As far as the fate of Red Rover in New York… Tim Newcomb, writer of the articles says, “Red Rover can be a bit dangerous if decapitation is the goal. But now the New York State Department of Health is back to the drawing board to figure out just how to regulate all that outdoor summer fun.”