Safe Mode

I was playing "Call of Duty" the other day, doing a special ops. I played for one hour and five minutes and was almost done with the operation when I got surrounded and taken out. I threw the paddle down disgusted. I was so close. I took my time and methodically moved through the operation only to get to the end and lose.

When my Jr. High son got home I said I think we can beat this special ops mode together. It has become somewhat of a bonding time for me and Cole. We work good together. The only problem I have with Cole is he does not play in "safe mode." He moves fast trying to get through in record time. So I have to come and save him several times during the operation. That has become my role. At the end he will have 30 kills I will have 3 but I have saved his but numerous times.

Together we beat the special ops, that took me an hour and five minutes to lose, in just under eight minutes. We gave each other a high five and turned the game off.

I know it is just a game, but playing in "safe mode" is not the way to go. It takes more time with the same results. It is really kind of boring. And it is not the most effective way. Playing in "safe mode" is not playing to win, it is playing not to lose.

When I think back on times I have played to win rather than not to lose the results are usually good. We were Florida visiting my dad. We parked outside the Yankees training facility to just walk around. There was a gate open and I said, "Let's go!" My dad, playing "safe mode" said, "Were not suppose to go through there."

I was a grown up so I decided not to listen to dad that day and the boys, my cousin and myself proceeded through the gate. So dad reluctantly followed. I know he was uncomfortable, but I also knew he loved baseball. It was like leading a dog through a maze with a strip of bacon. It was hard, but he overcame "safe mode." I told him the worst they would do is tell us to leave.

As we walked down the fenced hallway we saw Bernie Williams taking batting practice. He had just had surgery and was in rehab. Before long we came to a concession stand and it was open. I started talking to the guy, he had a strong NY accent which gave away he was a true blue Yankee fan (I hate the Yankees). He told us there was a minor league scrimmage about to happen against the Blue Jays. That was great, but there was better news. The Yankees wanted Mike Mussina to get some innings in before they went to Japan to open the season. The only catcher Mussina uses is Jorge Posada.

We stood on the fence and saw 1/3 of the starting Yankees line-up as close as you could ever get. We saw Don Mattingly the batting coach. The Blue Jays walked by us giving the kids high five. It was awesome!

Afterward as we were walking back to the car my dad said, "You know, I never would have never walked through that gate on my own." You know why dad? (I know you will read this) Because you were living in "safe mode" that day. Now things don't always work out that way, but that day they did.

You know what the problem is with most Christians and churches? They operate in "safe mode." That is why they are not as effective. It becomes boring sometimes because we do the same old things and so it takes a long time for kingdom progress.

The men of faith in the Bible did not operate in "safe mode." The reason is they trusted God. It took them places that were uncomfortable--lions den, fiery furnace, before Pharaoh, in a fight with a giant, to the cross--but they encountered things and experienced God in ways they never would have imagined.

Let's make a decision together today--no more "safe mode' when it comes to our faith. Let's put the burden on God to give us the journey of our life.

Next time I play Call of Duty--NO MORE SAFE MODE!