You Did What?

"Dear Optimist and Pessimist...

While you guys were arguing whether the glass was half full or half empty... I drank it.

Sincerely,
The Opportunist"

I love this analogy. Perhaps because it challenges me... as the adage goes, the biggest regrets in life come from the risks you DON'T take. Even the word itself is unpredictable.

Calculated, well-planned, well-advised, well-researched... and decisions maker have still come out on the wrong side.
Meanwhile, least-likely, least-feasible, whatever was being considered was itself, not designed, planned, or executed well, let alone the process of whether someone should take a chance on the opportunity... and wonders never cease. Success. To some degree, at least.

We approach risk differently. What's more, we take certain risks for different reasons.

Purely, for living in the moment.
To remain in someone's good graces.
In the name of efficiency and productivity.
Because of the challenge.
Because of greed, pride and the like.
Persuaded by someone's argument to do so.

Or reasons that are harder to explain. The compelling in one's heart for humanity... like public service. And the calling of God upon one's life... as in ministry

We all seen and heard the stories... and thanks to YouTube watched the videos, of those who quickly threw whatever caution they had to the wind. Meanwhile, those on the mission of field, professing faith in God and a relationship with Jesus Christ, at a time, perhaps an unprecedented one, where people have be so apprehensive to Christianity or any form of "organized religion"... they are committed to the biggest risk one could ever take, each and every day.

The only thing that trumps laying down your life for a friend and laying down your life for your country, is to lay down your life for God. Not just any cause; but for the person of Jesus Christ. Just as He experienced on behalf of humanity.

Consider this...

For all the faults and failures of humanity, that we are so quick to commit and criticize... for all the problems we create; where did we get nerve, the wherewithal; the gravitas to think that we could redeem us from ourselves?

Some risks are worthy of the laughter that comes from YouTube.  The risks that matter most, though... those taken in light of eternity; for the cause of Jesus Christ; for the reward of heaven that far outweighs the "15 minutes of fame" afforded to us by some brilliant technology... which, come to think off it, involved quite a few people taking risks.

On this #missionsFriday, pray for missionaries; may they be strengthened... in heart, mind, body and soul in the risks they have taken and live out daily for the cause of Jesus Christ. May the challenges and frustrations not overtake them, frustrate them or burn them out; but in all things, continue to trust and seek the face of God for all of their needs. Pray God give them favor, with the people they serve, with leaders and authorities under which they suffer for the Gospel. May they rest assured... that while they have regrets; their eternal reward is secure for having stepped out in faith and obedience to spread the message of redemption through the cross of Jesus Christ... the risk is worth it all.

For the glory of God... whose 15 minutes of fame never ends. Thankfully, as it's pretty incredible to watch this thing called Life.

- PNC

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