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Scripture for the day: Matthew 28:19-20 Go therefore (because “all authority has been given to Me and I’m passing it on to you”) and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.
Thought for the day: Have you ever thought of all you could gain by taking a risk? Seriously now, how many of us live our lives going round and round like the hamster in the exercise wheel, never getting anywhere, never accomplishing all we could, never impacting our world as we were perhaps meant to, because we’re afraid to take a risk. That thought reminds me of the poem I once read about the newly-weds:
The bride, white of hair, is stooped over her cane
Her faltering footsteps need guiding.
While down the church aisle, with wan toothless smile,
The groom in a wheelchair comes riding.
And who is this elderly couple you ask?
You'll find, when you've closely explored it,
That here is that rare, most conservative pair,
Who waited 'til they could afford it.
Are you ever afraid to take a risk? Afraid to commit because of an uncertain future? Afraid of failing? Not that anyone would wait an entire life before taking a chance on marriage, but do you tend to wait until all possible risks are minimized before setting out in a new direction? Though caution and common sense are certainly important, sometimes a risk is called for. As the late William Arthur Ward wisely said:
To laugh is to risk appearing a fool.
To weep is to risk appearing sentimental.
To reach out for another is to risk involvement.
To expose feelings is to risk revealing your true self.
To place you ideas, your dreams, before a crowd is to risk rejection.
To love is to risk not being loved in return.
To live is to risk dying.
To hope is to risk disappointment.
To try is to risk failure.
But risks must be taken, because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing. Those who risk nothing, do nothing, have nothing, and become nothing. They may avoid present suffering and sorrow, but they will not learn, feel, change, grow, love, or live. Chained by their fear, they are slaves who have forfeited their freedom.
Remember Peter? Peter was the brave one among the disciples (some would say foolhardy). He was the one who was ready to attempt “anything” for his Lord. He was the one who dared speak up when he was on the mountain with Jesus, Elijah and Moses. Peter was the one who jumped in the boat and set sail when Jesus said it was time to go to the other side of the lake, even though the weather report called for high winds and small craft advisories. He was the one who stepped out of the boat to walk on a surface not meant to hold him up simply because Jesus had bid him take a chance. The optimist sees Peter walking on the water; the pessimist watches him sink – from the safe confines of the fishing boat (personally, I’d rather sink attempting something that’s never been done than remain in the safety of the boat, but that’s just me).
The truth is, we’ve been given everything we need for stepping out of the boat and fulfilling the command Jesus gave in today’s scripture passage. I wonder how much hasn’t gotten done because we’ve spent our time and energy riding in the boat?
I don’t remember who said this but there is a lot of truth to it. “Only a person who risks is free. The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; and the realist adjusts the sails.”
Now go take on your world. - Bill