Risk

Dictionary.com defines RISK as “exposure to the chance of injury or loss; a hazard or dangerous chance.” That being the case, I imagine that the opposite of risk then is to avoid said exposure - this chance of injury, loss, hazards or danger… to play it safe, to be prudent, practical, reasonable and logical.

What role does risk play in the life of a Christian? Often scripture reminds us that “The just shall live by faith”. Now that sounds pretty risky. The writer of Hebrews makes it clear that “without faith it is impossible to please God. And that sounds pretty necessary.

Let’s take it a step further. Saint Paul exhorts us to “live by faith and not by sight”. The Apostle isn’t referring just to eyesight but to insight. The life of a Christian is a life lived by faith and the reality is - that’s risky.

Walking on water is irrational. Feeding lunch to five thousand people with five loaves of bread and two fish is impractical. A battle plan to simply march around your enemy’s encampment seven times is illogical. Sending a boy armed with only a sling & five smooth stones against a fully equipped, gigantic warrior is foolishness... according to our earthly wisdom.

Paul was right again when he penned these words “…the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength.” Truly, God’s ways are not our ways. Our ways make sense to us, this is true, but God’s ways are higher than our ways, much higher, as high as the heavens above higher. Our ways do not make sense to God, he’s not impressed with them and his challenge is for us to reject our ways and follow his seemingly illogical, impractical and irrational ways.

Consider the following verses…

• "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” (Jesus)

• "Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me;” (Jesus)

• “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.” (Paul)

• I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Paul)

• “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.” (Paul)

Not one of those verses sound risk-free to me, none of them sound safe. This life of faith won for us on Calvary’s hill is a life filled with risk and adventure. I for one have decided to reject the safe plateaus of life and instead go for the high risk options by following my God - where ever he leads.

I may be old and round and gray but passion surges through my veins as light floods my eyes and love beats from my heart. Adventure awaits, there are battles to fight and victories to be won. Of course it’s risky, but I wouldn’t have it any other way – and neither would my Father.

My horse is ready; my sword is in my hand, will anyone ride with me?

Let’s Go!

© Tom Zawacki 2008