Risky Behaviour - The Right Kind

People take all kinds of risks for all kinds of reasons.  We enjoy those doing acrobatics in shows.  We are amazed at what astronauts do in space.  Just watch a boy on a skateboard and there’s risky behaviour for you!!  Jesus Christ also engaged in seemingly risky behaviour.   Listen to these amazing words from the Gospel of John chapter 10.

The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.  John 10:17-18

Jesus risked everything in order to do His Father’s will.  His choices ultimately led to His being arrested, tortured, and killed on a cross so You and I could be forgiven and have a loving relationship with God forever.  Great risk.  Great cost. Great reward.

But then, the rubber hits the road because Jesus asks this of us:

If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but are yourself lost or destroyed?  Luke 9:23-25

Not an easy or convenient choice for any of us at any time but it is where we will find true life.

Thank you Jesus for risking all and giving all for us.   You put the lives of others before Your own.  We are very grateful.

We pray today that You will help us choose and act with the same loving surrender to Your Heavenly Father’s will that You demonstrated when You voluntarily laid down Your life for us.  Help us to remember that great risk with You, even at great cost will bring a great reward.  Amen

Let’s find out today what God is asking of us and even if it appears risky, let’s trust His direction to us rather than what’s going on around us.