Two murders have shaken us in recent days. Charlie Kirk was shot and killed in front of thousands as he debated university students in Utah. Iryna Zarutska, a young Ukrainian refugee woman on her way home from work, was murdered on the subway.

Two lives cut short. Two tragedies that remind us that no country, no system, and no human promise can guarantee safety.

The Illusion of Safety

Most of us live under the assumption that if we work hard, live in the right place, or build the right protections around us, we’ll be safe. Politicians campaign on promises of security. Technology companies market their devices as safeguards. Nations boast in their strength.

But the Bible warns us against trusting in these things:

“The wealth of the rich is their fortified city; they imagine it a wall too high to scale.” (Proverbs 18:11)

“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.” (Psalm 20:7)

We may crave comfort and protection, but these verses remind us that security can be an idol.

When Safety Becomes a False God

Safety becomes an idol when:

• We trust it more than God.
• We compromise obedience in exchange for comfort.
• Our lives are ruled by fear and anxiety instead of faith.

It’s not wrong to desire safety. But when it controls us—or when it keeps us from obeying God’s call—it has taken the place of the Lord in our lives.

Paul’s Example of Risky Faith

The Apostle Paul gives us a striking example. When warned that returning to Jerusalem meant imprisonment or death, he replied:

“For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” (Acts 21:13)

Paul endured beatings, shipwrecks, and constant threats. Yet his greatest concern wasn’t himself, but the churches he planted (2 Corinthians 11:28). He cared more for gospel advance than for personal protection.

Two Different Questions

When we chase safety, we ask:

• How risky is it?
• How do I protect myself?
• Which option is most comfortable?

When we chase God’s will, we ask:

• How is God leading me?
• Where is the gospel most needed?
• How can God use me—even if it costs me?

The first way keeps us paralyzed. The second way propels the gospel forward.

A Call to Courage

Charlie’s murder in America and Iryna’s murder in Ukraine remind us that life is fragile, and earthly security is uncertain. But they also invite us to place our confidence in God, who alone is our refuge.

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea.” (Psalm 46:1–2)

As followers of Christ, our call is not to chase safety, but to chase faithfulness. True security is found not in the absence of danger but in the presence of Christ.

The Challenge for Us

Ask yourself today:

• Do I equate God’s blessing with personal comfort?
• Do I run to security instead of to Christ when I feel unsafe?
• Am I willing to follow Jesus even when it costs me?

The real question isn’t, “Am I safe?” but, “Am I following my Savior?”

‍