The Risk

Right now we find such division on how to handle the COVID-19 crisis, and that's natural since we have a free country to express our own beliefs. Some of us believe in the risk/reward approach, others the safety/protection philosophy. Whether or not we agree, our Governor has allowed us to choose. Thankfully, so has God!

I look at this as a parallel to Jesus ministry on earth. Which category was he in, how did he handle things like this, and what was he trying to teach us? He touched lepers and sick people, hung out with despicable characters and took risks when it came to preaching the truth. He was all about human connection, all about spreading love to the unloved and the broken in spirit. He was here to heal, despite the risks.

He was truly a front line responder, and those of us who are need to take that example to heart. We may not always enjoy the danger, we may often give up something we are comfortable with to do the uncomfortable, but we are assured of who has our back when we do and that breeds confidence in purpose.

I didn't get the Coronavirus from working the front line, it came from another situation. God protected me and us. And when I was in the hospital I never doubted I was coming out because our work is not finished. He provided me comfort, he provided ATB with another leader who stepped up, and he granted me a whole army of prayer warriors and supporters who pulled me through.

My reward for the risk is played out every day in the hundreds of lives we touch who touch each other, and who touch me. Live meetings are diminishing, we are increasing. You can see the hope in the eyes of those who come in the connection that we and our partners help to provide. And when we talk about the Lord, they are listening because they know they need something more than a God they can conceptualize.

God took an enormous risk sending his only son to save us knuckleheads here on earth. The way I look at it, taking a risk on the people he loves and wants to have a relationship with is the least we can do!