Risk

   In a real sense life is about risks.  We’d like to live in a world devoid of risks, but such a world doesn’t exist.  Every time we get in an automobile we engage in risk — accidents happen.  When couples marry there is a risk — we know that many marriages end in divorce.  Going to a hospital for life saving surgery poses a risk.  The key in life is to not take “foolish” risks.

   Even Christians are not immune to risks.  Sharing the gospel with someone brings the risk of rejection.  We can invest faithfully in the lives of others and they may turn away from God and us (consider Judas).  We may love someone through sacrificial service, and they may take advantage of us.  Risk is inherent in our lives.  Perhaps Jesus took the greatest of all risks when He became a man and died bearing our sins to the cross — knowing that more people would reject Him than receive Him.  Yet He put His all on the line.

   Our unprecedented risk today seems to be in gathering for church.  We gather for our children’s recreation events, our children will be gathering in classrooms shortly, restaurants are busy serving customers, airports are busy again, etc.  And yet many have not returned to church.  There is a risk in doing so, but it is a risk worth taking.  We cannot fulfill our God-given mission apart from gathering with other believers, for worship, prayer, study of scriptures, sharing life, and ministry.

   Consider this.  In parts of our world today believers are risking their lives (literally) every time they gather as church, and yet they continue to do so.  They were facing this risk before corona virus, and the virus is the least of their worries.  How can we risk so little and expect the blessing of God?  Let us rise up and be the church!