Hope and risk – 11 October 2006

Today we live in a world of risk assessments.  Activities we once took for granted are now apparently fraught with risk – how worried should we be?  What’s the worst that can happen?

The recent high speed crash by Richard Hammond, while filming for BBC’s Top Gear, has called into question what level of risk should be tolerated in order to make good TV. Apparently the producer of Top Gear recently threatened to quit if the BBC makes any attempt to tone down the show’s emphasis on speed and extreme stunts.  Also, in recent weeks we have seen the death of Steve Irwin – not from a crocodile or even a snake, but from a comparatively innocuous stingray.  There is something about risk-takers that sets them apart from others.

Some of the risks we face daily are not so dramatic as “life or death”.  Perhaps we risk embarrassment in talking about our faith? Or maybe we risk inconvenience and distaste when we help someone in a way or at a time which is difficult for us.

The Bible is full of people who risked their lives in the service of God or in the name of Jesus.  They were prepared to weigh up the risk of death against the hope of eternity and a relationship with the author of life and death.  Let’s consider what risks we should take to help achieve God’s will on earth.  Let’s not be afraid of the risks – rather hope in the rewards of being good disciples.

So we all agreed to choose some men and send them to you with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul— men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Therefore we are sending Judas and Silas to confirm by word of mouth what we are writing.  Acts 15:25-27 [NIV]

Blessed are those who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus.
Amen.

Dave MacLellan