Risky Business
We all know two types of people. Those who play it safe and those who are risk-takers. Some people love the adrenaline rush that comes with risk taking. I, on the other hand, am not normally much of a thrill seeker.
Even for the most adventurous risk-taker, I am sure they try to eliminate as many potential risks as possible. Removing needless danger makes sense, in all aspects of life, not just in thrill-seeking activities. You don’t spend a day at the beach without putting on sunscreen. You don’t go outside in sub-freezing temperatures without a coat. You don’t take a hot muffin pan out of the oven with your bare hands. Not putting on sunscreen or a coat or using oven mitts, that would just be foolish.
But, for Jesus-followers, risk is part of the game. John Wimber, founder of the Vineyard Movement, spelled faith – r i s k. Obeying God is regularly a risky thing. Uncertainty is an element of faith.
All throughout history, and on the pages of the Bible, we find people who obeyed God in risky situations. The list of well-known names is almost endless. But think about those folks who risk it all for the sake of Jesus and never make the pages of history. That list is endless as well. Maybe you know someone like that. Maybe you are that person.
How about Ananias, a little-known disciple of Jesus, whom God sent to minister to the recently converted and now blind Saul. Ananias was keenly aware of Saul’s history – an unyielding persecutor of believers in Jerusalem. Saul was on his way to Damascus to do more of the same when he encountered Jesus along the way (Acts 9:1-9). What if Saul turned against Ananias? Sounds risky, right?
Here is what we read – Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” And the Lord said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight” (Acts 9:10-12).
Ananias, probably not too excited about the request, answered the LORD this way – “But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name” (vv.13-14).
The text goes on to tell us that Ananias did the risky thing. He went to find Saul. The result – So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized; and taking food, he was strengthened” (vv.17.19).
We never hear about Ananias again. Saul became Paul, who is arguably the greatest and most effective preacher who ever lived. Both men took risks. Both were used mightily by God.
(There are two other men by the name of Ananias found in the Bible. The first, along with his wife Sapphira, were wealthy members of the early church. And the second, a high priest in Jerusalem during much of Paul’s early ministry.)
So, let me ask you, and I ask myself as well – Where is God calling you to trust Him, stepping out in faith, a faith spelled r i s k?
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