Acceptable Risk

He's a world-renowned paediatric neurosurgeon.  I saw him interviewed on a long-running television program.  He spoke of taking risks, and how as believers in Jesus, there are times in our lives that we need to consider taking some.  Ben Carson sure does...separating the brains of conjoined twins.  Talk about risky!

The God we follow takes huge risks.  I mean, what was He thinking when He left the enormous task of sharing His gospel around the globe, with us puny, deceitful, wicked-hearted human beings?  Sure, He's ultimately in charge, but He sure gives us a long lead.  Sometimes we get it right, by His grace.  And sometimes we screw up royally.

I can think of two big decisions that were risky in our marriage.  First, I quit my job.  I was healthy, childless and sane.  Well, mostly.  The couple we showed our finances to questioned my sanity.  There was no way we could afford to have me quit.  But I was tired.  No, not tired.  Done.  Burned.  Fried.  So I quit.  With Dan's blessing and with tidbits of confirmation from the Lord.  It worked out.

Second risky change?  Dan quit his job.  It's a miraculous, God-infused, time-consuming story.  Suffice to say we knew He wanted us to leave Smithers.  So Dan resigned, with three months notice.  People didn't understand our mindset when we answered their question of, "...and where are you going?" with, "We don't know.   Dan doesn't have another job."  And with that genesis we now celebrate 10 years in the Robson Valley's Village of McBride.  Definitely worth that initial risk!

What are you facing?  What change is staring you in the face?  Have you considered the risk?  Our neurosurgeon challenges you to ask four questions.

1.  If you do it, what's the best thing that can happen?

2.  If you do it, what's the worst thing that can happen?

3.  If you don't do it, what's the best thing that can happen?

4.  If you don't do it, what's the worst thing that can happen?

So, is it worth the risk?

It's simplistic, and there's more to it if we read the book, but the questions are a good place to start.  Well, start there after you've bathed your decision-making process in prayer.  

Sometimes God gives us those lightening bolts.  Sometimes He sends them and we don't even see it.  And sometimes He wants us to put a foot in the rushing, unpredictable water before He confirms that yes, that's the direction for you.  The Levite Priests met the rushing floodwaters of the Jordan River with trepidation, wondering how to cross it with the glorious burden of the Ark of the Covenant on their bruised shoulders.  And God chose to hold back the waters only after one of the priests stuck his big toe in the mighty flow.  

And remember, when we do make the wrong choice, we serve a God of Redemption.  He can redeem anything we people get ourselves into when we confess it and repent.  But He doesn't leave us to our own devices.  Search out people who are filled with Godly wisdom.  Pray.  Use your God-given common sense.  And for goodness sake, recognize when your choices are fear-based, and repent of them.  Faith in a wonderful, loving, good God.  Not fear.  

All of these decisions, all of these risky choices, for His glory!  And we'll celebrate His goodness!

"One hundred percent of the shots you don't make, don't go in."  --Wayne Gretzky