E-votional - Risk
September 30, 2002
Verse:

"...he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, 'Lord, save me!'"

Matthew 14:30 (NRSV)

Thought:

    They run into a burning building, firemen do this to save lives, but at the same time risk their own. Paratroopers jump out of high altitude planes, they do this to land behind the lines of action and to arrive with little or no detection. Both servants of our city and country face risk based on their vocation or calling. Risk, for some it is faced with excitement, others fear. While most of us do not face this kind of fear or risk in our life, we all face a common risk and fear in life, failure. Failure, it has to be one of the easiest places to hide. We hear no, and our internal reaction tells us not to be in that place again. No can physically hurt, and failure is one of the greatest demoralizers around. So to approach a situation where we might get hear "no" or stumble to an uncomfortable failed ending can be a great risk. One of the greatest risks we will ever face, is to live out our faith, in person.

Hear the Good News, when we risk sharing and living out our faith, will we always have help. Living by faith is not the easiest of tasks. Living and sharing our faith at first, when we are focused "souly" on God, seems easy enough. We are excited and enthusiastic about what we are doing. Sharing our faith is no different that living without it, until we meet resistance. Living out our faith is simple, until the world ideas meet the Gospel, often times they are in stark conflict with one another. Though we have the best of intentions, though we have entered the situation by faith, the conflictual distraction captures us. And just like like Peter, who was walking on the water, we recognize the rising wind, we become distracted by the fear of conflict and lose our focus. Our attention turns from Christ and we begin to sink. But with love and grace, Christ reaches out his hand to us bringing an end to the sinking. All we must do is ask. "Lord, save me!"

Prayer: 

   Gracious Father, we want to live right, to live well and to live faithfully, but sometimes the world grabs us and freezes us with fear and doubt. Please help me live out my faith, sharing all You have done in my life. When things get rough and I face tough times, help me to remember to call out to You. Let me risk sharing You and not fear failure. Thank You for all that You have done in my life and all You will continue to do, for ask this through Christ, my Lord and Savior. Amen.