GodReflection: Power Words

“Take Risks” was the screen saver that rotated across my computer monitor over the years I served as the Executive Director of Great Cities Missions.

It served as a reminder to live outside my comfort zone. I notice in life if I wait until I have everything in place to make a move—very little happens. Worse still, it leaves no room for faith and for the Holy Spirit to act.

I have always thought of myself as a risk taker.

It seems to me to create a crisis is a great way to see God show up. Repeatedly God shows His faithfulness.

The truth is I haven’t created near enough tight spots. I often wished I hadn’t balked at times when I might have shown greater trust in the Creator. Perhaps more people would know Jesus today had I demonstrated more trust.

Some weeks ago, I considered the possibility of a small device to implant into my spine to help with chronic leg pain. In the decision making process I went through a battery of test required by medical insurance.

One result caught my attention.

The test showed I was less likely to take risks than the majority of males my age.

Perhaps the instrument was right—I decided against the pain control apparatus.

However, I wanted to shout, “The assessment is wrong. That’s not me. I spent a lifetime looking risk in the face and shouting let’s go for it.”

Scripture is abundant with stories of risk takers. Noah built a boat. Rahab concealed the spies. Jonathan and his armor bearer scaled a canyon wall to enter into the camp of the enemy.

The author of the letter to Hebrew Christians shares a list of sixteen risk takers. The writer’s synonym for the word risk is faith. He then lists numerous trials faced by God’s risk takers throughout history. Crowds Jeered at them. They experienced torture, were chained, imprisoned, and stoned. Some died by the sword. Others were sawed in two.

He declares, “the world was not worthy of them.”

Ok, here is what I think.

I never took a risk equal to those cited for members of the Hebrew church. However, I haven’t attempted to live a risk free life. The truth is age and a worn out body caught up with me. I no longer have the physical stamina required for conquest.

I am still committed to risk.

I want to spend the remainder of my life to know the Godhead in yet a deeper way. Having spent my life as a follower of Jesus the above statement carries risk. I want to hear anew what God has to say to me.

This morning I read from Paul as he wrote to the church in Galatia. What he said hit me with refreshing power. “Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.”

The risk is this.

The backdrop of my Christian walk is through a landscape of tradition.  It couldn’t be any other way since I am a person living in history and culture. I want to continue to identify God’s truth reflected through Jesus and make the distinction between His truth and tradition.

I want to take the risk of living out God’s truth over what life I may have left. Risk is the power word that describes my renewed commitment to the journey.

Stay tuned.

Dr. Gary J. Sorrells – A GodReflection on the Power Word Risk.

Gary@GodReflection.org