When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You know that your name is safe in their mouth. —Jess C. Scott
Taking refuge in the wrong person can be awkward. If you’ve ever been jolted by a subway before securing your balance, you know what I mean. You go from standing to clinging in less than two seconds. Your apologies are muffled in an armpit, as your savior was smart enough to grab the monkey bar before takeoff. Ewe.
As you smooth the suit and wonder whether that’s Degree or Old Spice on the end of your nose, you realize that some people just aren’t the best places of refuge.
In fact, they don’t even appear to be glad you considered them a zone of safety.
Rough patches are going to come in life. What seems to be a smooth ride will suddenly jolt, and you’ll lose your balance. As careers, finances, or relationships shatter, you’re going to need a place of refuge—a place of safety and support.
There are so many people and places vying for our attention—claiming to have what we need. But only One knows what we need. He calls to us. He tells us to stop building our own place of refuge.
It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in humans. It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes. (Psalm 118:8-9)
Why turn to a fellow traveler? Their journey is just as explosive as your own. Why turn to a person in power? Their power only comes from above.
Your dance partner is neither a commoner nor a prince. He is the Most High God. He has no beginning and no end. He is immune to circumstance, for circumstance is an occasion, an event marked by time. And your dance partner is eternal—unbound by the measurement He created.
There is no safer place to weather a storm than to be in a shelter immune to its fury.
Lord, my safe refuge… thank You for being here.