Monday, July 22, 2013

Risk Is Worth It


“Without risk, there is no possibility. Without potential loss, no prize.”- Call the Midwife

My wife has been enjoying this show on PBS entitled Call the Midwife. Another one of those British shows that is sweeping the US. I had the chance to sit and watch a couple episodes this weekend with her and found it pretty interesting. From what I can gather it is loosely based on early 1900’s medicine and pregnancy developments. They follow several Midwives and their experiences with different women and their spouses or lack thereof in some cases. They ride bicycles and help pregnant women, very British.
In one episode, there was a husband and wife that had a child born with spina bifida, after asking questions I was informed that this is a developmental disorder that causes spinal issues (there is much more, but due to word count I want to get to the point, so here is a link to learn more: http://www.spinabifidaassociation.org/site/c.evKRI7OXIoJ8H/b.8029551/k.99AA/Learn_about_SB.htm?gclid=CIiz98a4w7gCFSU6Qgodb3AARA

The entire episode was based on their decision to either keep the baby or send it to a children’s home. The mother couldn’t hold the baby and the father was dealing with her post-partum depression and self-blame for the baby’s issues. WARNING- SPOILER ALERT: In the end they choose to keep the baby and the wonderful quote above is shared: “Without risk, there is no possibility. Without potential loss, no prize.”

This made me think about our lives, but more importantly our faith journey. Life is full of decisions and risks. Some are as drastic as the couple portrayed in the show or deciding what to eat for lunch (let’s face it some of those lunch places are risky). However, our faith is even riskier.

We do not know where it will take us. We do not know who God will allow us to interact with. For some of us, we are still trying to figure out whether or not the journey is worth the risk. Well, I guess we need to embrace these fine words from the British. If we don’t take the risk to follow or to trust God’s leading, then the possibility isn’t endless, it has ended. If we are afraid of losing something, then we may miss out on gaining everything!

Paul shares in his first letter to the Corinthians, “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win.  Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.” Choosing to run the race of faith is a risky endeavor, but the end of the race is worth the risk.


QUESTION: What holds you back? What are the things in your life that have hindered you from walking out in faith, to take that risk? 

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