I’ve been thinking about “security” lately. It’s defined as “the state of being free from danger or threat.” Are you kidding? In the world we live in, can anyone feel “secure?” If so, aren’t they living in a fantasy world; or are simply ignorant or oblivious? A rabid dog could kill us tomorrow or a piece of falling satellite hit us on the head. I’m not even going to mention the big three of nuclear weapons, fire and flood from catastrophic climate change.

Let’s be honest. In the larger picture of human history, there is no such thing as “security.” And because we are failing to do the hard work of teaching and practicing honesty and nonviolence, and being just with our neighbors, we live lives of insecurity. Perhaps we would feel free from threat and danger if we lived for our neighbors rather than against them. I’m talking countries, as well as political parties, as well as neighborhoods. For instance, does anyone spend as much time and money teaching, learning, and practicing conflict resolution skills, negotiation and compromise, as they spend on athletic or military skills?

I confess a situation of insecurity was my fault the other day. I made a typing mistake while accessing my bank account online. When I returned to the site a short time later, my account had been frozen. There wasn’t an immediate need so I decided to wait until I really needed access. Three days later it was still frozen. I called the bank. The person who answered the phone was quite helpful, asking a series of questions for identification to provide “security,” then said it was done. I could access it now.

When I tried it was still frozen. It was too late to call again. Banking hours were over. Fortunately it wasn’t a weekend. I called the next day. Apparently there was a verification number sent to our telephone number that would have allowed me to access the account. But that telephone number was no longer in use. We dropped that wired number because most of what we received there was spam. It didn’t feel “secure.” The new verification number would go to my cellphone.

In fact, I received three different verification numbers, one right after the other. One of them worked and I was able to gain access. I’m grateful for “security” when it comes to my bank account. But I wonder what kind of world we have created where we have to spend so much time and energy, so much anxiety over the threat of harm, trying to outsmart and outmaneuver those who would do us harm? Especially in a high tech world, the complications become enormous. Look at the growth of the “cybersecurity” industry.

Try wiring money to a bank in another country where people are poor, as I just did. You may have to stand naked and send them a picture so they can see you aren’t hiding anything from them. And the recipient may have to strip naked to receive the funds. “Security” doesn’t happen without trust, and the scammers and liars and cheats and greedy have undercut our relationships. And I don’t hear any talk of a war against scammers, liars, cheats and greed. Why? Why not?

The first task would be to make sure people aren’t cheating out of need. And if they are, as a society and/or human family, let’s meet the need. The country I wired money to is in the top 20 for poverty. Let’s understand the origins of such terrible disparity in the globe and correct it, instead of allowing the horrible waste of resources, like we are doing in Ukraine. Relieving poverty might actually help make us more “secure.” Now, insecurity increases with each day of that war, challenging the nuclear umbrella and wasting wealth. Thank goodness for the efforts of the U.N. to broker release of Ukrainian grain to people starving in other countries.

And isn’t it ironic that those who harvest guns for “security” reasons must be feeling threat and danger, otherwise they wouldn’t need all those guns. Obviously they don’t feel “secure.” And isn’t it problematic that as we welcome more and more guns into our communities, we can no longer feel “secure” in the mall; church or synagogue; elementary, high school or college; at the theatre; parade; park; home; is there anyplace “secure” anymore, besides the cemetery?

I’ve always appreciated the story in the New Testament about “bigger barns.” The farmer wanted the “security” of stored grain, enough to last for many years, enabling him to eat, drink and be merry. Unfortunately, he didn’t live that long. I’ve seen it happen in real life, where the person works hard at a hated job just for the “security” of a comfortable retirement, only to encounter a long, debilitating illness or quick death.

I’m not sure there is any such thing as “security,” in the realm of things. Real security comes only from recognizing our vast and complex connections and relationships and acting out of love, compassion and generosity. True security is interior, in the knowledge and conviction one is living true to their reason for being. That kind of inner security will let one face danger and threat, or even death from an assassin’s bullet, like Gandhi and King; or from climbing a cross, like Jesus.