The Great Risk – Part 2

DAILY BYTE

Yesterday I shared the fictional story of the great risk that a golf pro by the name of Roy McAvoy once took in the US Open, as depicted in the movie Tin Cup. But there are real-life stories of risky heroism that could be shared as well.

Recently, I read the story of Ellen MacArthur, a young British sailor who a few years back broke the world record for the fastest non-stop solo circumnavigation of the world. It was the most unbelievable story of courage and endurance as she risked herself in this heroic quest. Over and over again, in seemingly impossible situations on the high seas, she chose to go for it, and in the end the record was hers.

The only trouble with fictional stories like Roy McAvoy’s, or real-life ones like that of Ellen MacArthur, is that these courageous risk-takers seem so far-removed from ordinary people like us. Let’s face it; our lives are lived on a much smaller stage. And many people are content with that. They’re aware of their limitations and shortcomings, and accept that in the great scheme of things, they are one of the little ones, whose lives will pass by largely unnoticed. And who think that great risks are not really for them.

If you’re one of those people who prefers being anonymous as you get on with your life in a largely unnoticed way, then I’d remind you that no-one, in fact, is anonymous to God, and no-one goes unnoticed by Him. In fact, there is no-one who does not have a very particular part to play in God’s great plan to mend the entire universe. Which means that everyone faces the great risk of colliding with a call from God upon their lives, sooner or later.

Jesus noticed the little ones. He took great interest in their lives and wellbeing. The fullness of life that he came to bring was not just for superstars, but for ordinary people, for whom he had a particular love and concern. So much so that he was unafraid to speak hard truth into the lives of ordinary people.

Over the rest of this week we’ll take a closer look at a story that contained such difficult truth. It’s known as the parable of the talents. In preparation to hear its challenge, maybe you’d like to read it now and begin to reflect upon what it might be saying to your life. It’s found in Matthew 25:14-30.

PRAY AS YOU GO

Forgive me Lord for the times when I hide behind my own sense of inadequacy, assuming that my limitations are limitations for you. Remind me that you are the Sovereign Lord of all the earth, and that when you call ordinary people like me into your service that you know what you are doing. Help me to trust that even my little life can be lived out on the great canvass of your purposes for the world, not because of any merit of my own, but because of the immensity of your grace. Amen.

SCRIPTURE READING

Psalm 8:3-9

When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars that you have established;
what are human beings that you are mindful of them,
mortals that you care for them?
Yet you have made them a little lower than God,
and crowned them with glory and honor.
You have given them dominion over the works of your hands;
you have put all things under their feet,
all sheep and oxen,
and also the beasts of the field,
the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea,
whatever passes along the paths of the seas.
O LORD, our Sovereign,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!