New Year's Risk

There is a fairly well known story of three people who were given finances to invest.  Each individual received differing proportions with the understanding of a future accounting.  The first received the greatest portion, seized the opportunity and made large gains.  The second, while working with less also prospered. 

The story’s focus however was upon the third individual whose portion was sparse.  Limited resources made him fearful.  Fear made him tentative.  In the end he did nothing with the little allotted to him.  Along with the day of accounting came a stiff reprimand.  Then an eternal perspective to those gathered around, which in essence was, “Risk your life and get more than you ever dreamed of. Play it safe and end up holding the bag.” 

This statement found some clarity in my life on New Year’s Eve.  The girls were at the School of Harmony taking music lessons.  Diana, Adri and I returned home and settled in around the fireplace with a pot of tea.  All the activities of seeing the New Year in awaited, but for now we were content to sit, sip and converse.  At some point I read this thought provoking insight which had been jotted down on a worn piece of paper.  “Maybe instead of having our New Year’s resolutions, we should give risks we are taking,” Adri commented. 

Interesting comment.  Challenging thought.  Maybe it’s something we all need in our lives in this New Year.  I’m sure I do. Not so much resolutions but an element of Spirit impressed risk.  Risk that springs out of prayerful waiting on God.  Risk that requires a measure of faith. 

Personally our family is taking a small step in this direction as I discontinue the weekend job and become more intentional in being involved in what God is doing.  It comes with a degree of uncertainty, but I don’t want to be left holding the bag.