Prayer To Recognize Healthy Risk Or Leap Of Faith And Take It

We hear so much these days about risks of vaccines for individuals in general, for pregnant women, for kids, for those who have underlying health issues.  What I can’t quite get my head around, honestly, are the people who will not get vaccinated but will take deworming medicine for large farm animals in ridiculous amounts and put themselves at unknown risk. 

We know that the vast majority of people currently ending up in hospital and even dying are those who are unvaccinated.  The facts are the facts.  I just heard of a “covid party” in another province like there used to be “chicken pox parties” to get folks infected so they would have natural immunity.  The only problem – now some of them are in the ICU fighting for their lives.  Seems something other than a healthy risk to me. 

Sadly, we’ve known far too many people in recent times who’ve taken the risk to get high with street drugs and have ended up paying with their lives. 

When it comes to “taking a risk” as followers of Jesus, we get to take a leap of faith instead - a moment where we put everything on the line for what is true.  But, what is so different from irresponsible risks is that we have the promises of God and the history of faithful people as we take our own leap of faith.

Those who know your name trust in you, for you, O Lord, do not abandon those who search for you.  Since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up.  And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.  Psalm 9:10 Hebrews 12:1

Jesus is our first example of this leap of faith.  He gave up everything for us.  He left heaven and came to earth in human form.  He went to the cross and faced abandonment, suffering, and death because he was willing to pay the penalty for sin.  The Lord of life faced death believing His Father had given Him the power over it.  Only Jesus’ death and resurrection could open the way for us to have an eternal relationship with God the Father. 

It’s a leap of faith to give up control of our life and believe in the new life Jesus promises us.  It takes a healthy measure of trust to follow God’s principles when we don’t feel like it and have not yet proven that they really work.  Thankfully, faithful people across the centuries stand as witnesses to the truth that these leaps of faith are worth taking.  They have experienced that God is who He says He is and will do what He has promised.  Even though we feel uncertain, as we choose to trust God with our life, we will come to know deeper satisfaction than we have experienced so far. 

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are the way, the truth and the life. Thank you for Your willingness to take action that cost You everything and in that “leap of faith” give up Your life on the cross to defeat sin and Satan.  Where would we be if You hadn’t done that.

You’ve proven Yourself faithful and reliable to all Your promises.  We have the faithful witness of others over the centuries who’ve placed their trust in You to encourage us.  Today we are asking that You  give us the will and the desire to take a leap of faith and follow You in all our ways.  Amen