Risk or Relax
There are times that I have to take a risk. Sometimes the risks are calculated and the choice to take the risk is clear. At other times it is a hard call to make. I think there are several risks that I will take today without giving much thought. Here are a few: driving, riding an elevator, riding in a car with someone else driving, eating food that I didn’t prepare, or riding an airplane – to name a few. Relationships present risks as well. On the other side of risk there can be relaxation as well.
In the story of Joseph reconnecting with his brothers, there was risks on the part of his brothers, but Joseph was relaxed for the most part because he saw the Lord’s hand in his journey and how he was helping his family and thousands of others to survive the severe famine in the land. Check this out….
8 Judah said to his father, “Send the boy with me, and we will be on our way. Otherwise we will all die of starvation—and not only we, but you and our little ones. 9 I personally guarantee his safety. You may hold me responsible if I don’t bring him back to you. Then let me bear the blame forever.
11 So their father, Jacob, finally said to them, “If it can’t be avoided, then at least do this. Pack your bags with the best products of this land. Take them down to the man as gifts—balm, honey, gum, aromatic resin, pistachio nuts, and almonds.12 Also take double the money that was put back in your sacks, as it was probably someone’s mistake. 13 Then take your brother, and go back to the man. 14 May God Almighty give you mercy as you go before the man, so that he will release Simeon and let Benjamin return. But if I must lose my children, so be it.” (Genesis 43:8-9, 11-14 NLT)
It took lots of courage to go back before Joseph – but they were quickly running out of food in Canaan and Joseph had lots of food in Egypt. Joseph’s second reception of them was making them even more nervous. He invited them to his house. Check this out…
19 The brothers approached the manager of Joseph’s household and spoke to him at the entrance to the palace. 20 “Sir,” they said, “we came to Egypt once before to buy food. 21 But as we were returning home, we stopped for the night and opened our sacks. Then we discovered that each man’s money—the exact amount paid—was in the top of his sack! Here it is; we have brought it back with us. 22 We also have additional money to buy more food. We have no idea who put our money in our sacks.”
23 “Relax. Don’t be afraid,” the household manager told them. “Your God, the God of your father, must have put this treasure into your sacks. I know I received your payment.” Then he released Simeon and brought him out to them.(Genesis 43:19-23 NLT)
I’m still learning that if the Lord is calling on me to act, the risks are reduced. There are times that I have to step out in faith and take risks. I also know from personal experience that I can relax in the face of risks if the Lord is directing my path. I’m confident that I will face decisions even today that will require His prompting and His leadership in my life so that I can relax and navigate any risks that I’m faced with.
Pressing On!
Dwayne