I’ve noticed that society has become more protective and less protective at the same time. 

We joke that we might as well bubble wrap people with all the protective rules, laws and equipment we have. On the other hand, we leave people less protected or more vulnerable with some of the actions we take.

For instance, I read an article recently about car accidents in Canada. A research study reported that, since the legalization of cannabis, injury-related accidents involving weed have increased 223%. 

For decades there has been a concerted effort to make our roadways safer from alcohol-related accidents. We tried to protect people with laws, but then legalized marijuana leaving roadways less protected.

Staying with the drug theme, British Columbia legalized hard drugs, meaning people can shoot up in public places. 

Society, as a whole, has tried to make parks and other public places as safe from harm as possible. Yet BC’s legalization has led to public places – especially parks – being less safe for children due to discarded drug paraphernalia and used needles. 

We’re trying to make our neighbourhoods more protective and less protective at the same time.

There is no doubt that protecting children is a priority in society. If we could guarantee their safe travel to school we would. If we could ensure injury-free play and activities we would.

But we then give our children the power to alter their bodies permanently without the protection and wisdom of parents. 

It’s interesting how we do something to protect, but then make other moves that literally erode some of the protection we have tried to put in place.

Recently my wife, Lily, and I were at Cyprus National Park near Tobermory, Ontario. It’s a beautiful park that has a signature shoreline scene on Georgian Bay. 

Years ago I jumped off a cliff into the water at that signature spot. I think Lily even recorded the event. 

There was also a very interesting climb you could make from the shore up to the cliffs above by climbing through a very narrow hole in the rocks. 

A few years later they made it illegal to jump off that same cliff … probably some people had gotten injured or something. Park staff would hand out fines to anyone they caught making the jump. 

Fast forward to my recent visit: jumping off the cliff is now not recommended, but is no longer illegal. However, they covered the hole with several large boulders to prevent people from climbing up and down the cliff through that narrow hole.

The park is now more protective about the hole and less protective about jumping. 

I’m glad I got my jump in and my fill of climbing up and down through that hole years ago.

Here’s the thing: It’s human nature to do what we can to protect ourselves. We protect our health, wealth and power. But the more we independently seek our own protection, the more we walk away from the protection of God. This action ends up leaving us open to even more harm. Instead seek God and trust Him to provide the protection you need from all sorts of harm.

That’s Life!

Paul

Question: In what area(s) do you seek to overprotect yourself? Leave your comments and questions below.

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