RISKY?

WHAT IS THE RISKIEST THING YOU HAVE EVER DONE?

Does Jesus ever asked us to do something that would be considered “iffy?” Have you done or attempted to do something risky for Jesus? 

Look at Genesis 22.  “Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, ‘Abraham!’  ‘Here I am,’ he replied.Then God said, ‘Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about. Early the next morning Abraham got up and saddled his donkey.  He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac.  When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering he set out for the place God has told him about.”

Several years ago while serving at the Kuna Nazarene Church I was able to do quite a bit of ATV riding with a group of riders in the church.  It was great fun but there were a number of times when my ATV and I had mishaps.  A few bruises and I was ready to go again.  However, there was a small group that affectionately referred to themselves as “Ronnie’s ‘Recking Crew” cause they would rescue me after these mishaps.

Now I know what you’re probably saying, “Did God ask you to be involved in ATV recreation?”  No, but he helped provide the ATVs and gave me great joy in riding them.  And riding ATVs how and where I did just inherently involved some risk.  There are activities that you and I do nearly every day that have inherent risks. Not the level of risk as when Evil Knevil pretended to make an attempt at crossing the Snake River!  Nonetheless…

Take a look at Genesis 22 picking up where we left off.

“On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. He said to this servants, “Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there.  We will worship and then we will come back to you.  Skipping down a few verses.  Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, “Father?” “Yes my son!” Abraham replied.  “The fire and wood are here,” Isaac said, “but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?  Abraham answered,”God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering.’  And the two of them went on together. When they reached the place God had told them about, Abraham built the altar there and arranged the wood on it.  He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altars on top of the wood.  Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. But the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied. “Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said.  Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God,l because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.”

God did provide a ram in the thicket for a burnt offering.

When Pastor James asked me about the possibility of coming to TF Naz as the interim Worship Pastor I was excited but also thought about instances in my career when things happened quite badly.  There were risks for an old couple well into their retirement years.  But God let our excitement build and opened so many doors that we accepted.  TF Naz took a risk and the Christies took a risk.  Now we are nearing the end of our time here we can say, “While there have been challenges it has been a very rewarding even fun time.”  We could go on and on about what a blessed time is has been!