Taking a Godly risk.

As I am moving further towards retirement I am sobered to realise how conservative and safe my thinking has become. This is being challenged though. This week an internal war seems to have broken out between my responsible and fiscally sensible inner person and a quiet voice whispering ‘take a Godly risk’! 

As I get closer to my death I sometimes wonder if I have conceded to ordinariness out of weariness and sensibility.  Erring on playing it safe and being responsible, I have been considering my choices on the basis of practicality and what promises security. Security in what?  I could be taking Godly risks that involve faith and placing my security in a dependable God. 

But when does risk taking turn into foolishness?  When does daring turn into folly?  How old is too old to take risks? 

My husband and I have done some things others have considered foolish or folly.  Our lives have been richer though for the adventures we have been involved in. 

In our mid-twenties, we packed up everything, gave up our jobs and travelled Australia in a four-wheel drive.  We left our then home in Western Australia and returned to Central Queensland to leave a ‘spare’ pup and our cat with my parents before heading off with our dog and friends in a matching two-toned Toyota Landcruiser.  Over a five-month period we travelled through New South Wales, South Australia, Western Australia and onto Darwin before returning to Central Queensland. We setup a tent and air mattress most every night and lived out of the back of the wagon.  We came back with many stories to tell.

In our mid-thirties, we sold up everything we had accumulated, wrapped up our business and moved overseas to live in Vanuatu.  We sold up our home in Central Queensland, left our little dog with a church family before flying out with our two children.  Over a three-month period, we lived in villages on three islands.  We came back with many stories to tell.

The past decade we have been consolidating, accumulating and evidently putting down roots.  We have been busy raising teenagers into young adults and in my case, saying goodbye to both my parents.  We have had some adventures and we have some stories to tell.

But now, we are empty nesters stumbling in the dark as we consider our lives beyond raising a family.  Apart from all the ‘stuff’ that clutters our lives, we do not have too many adventures planned.  I fear I have become more of a spectator of life than someone living it.  My stories are old and my enthusiasm has waned. Perhaps it is time to get out there again and start a new adventure. 

If I am to be a co-creator of my future story with God then I have to become a participant in life and not just be on the sidelines.  That means I might get hurt, I will get tired, I may end up with scars and bruises but I could also have stories of miraculous wins and jubilant celebrations.  It is time to shake off the unnecessary conservatism if my remaining decades are going to be story worthy.  Time to take a Godly risk-or two!