Hidden Tracks Part 5 “Risk Aversion” Traditional Service Livestream

Life is full of risks.

Every day we do things that have some level of risk to it. Driving a car, cooking, crossing streets, playing with fire, climbing ladders, and encountering strangers.

It’s almost enough to convince you to stay home where it’s safe and risk free.

Except, statistically home is where we’re more likely to be hurt.

Yes, we are more likely to be hurt at home. According to one study, home accidents are the leading cause of nonfatal injuries in the United States. The study identified accidents involving landings, stairs, doors, cabinets, counters, countertops, and home fires.

Most of us are risk averse. We have tendency to prefer a sure thing over an uncertain outcome, even if that uncertainty might lead to a better result. Given a choice between the safety of what we know and the uncertainty of what we don’t, we’ll stick with the status quo.

After escaping Egypt, Moses and the Israelites find themselves at the edge of the Promised Land. The only problem is, it’s already occupied. Twelve leaders slip across the border into the Promised Land as spies to see if it is safe for the people to enter. Ten of them are terrified of what they saw. The risk is too great, the stakes too high, the likelihood of defeat, much too real.

Two leaders though voice the minority opinion. Caleb and Joshua implore the people to overcome their fear and enter the land God promised them. Their pleas fall on deaf ears.

Instead of moving forward and trusting the path God created for them, they turn around and continue wandering in the wilderness for decades. Driven by fear, anxiety, and uncertainty, they give up their dreams of a future promise and settle for the wilderness they know.

Life is full of risks.

It’s also full of God’s promises.

But only for those who are willing to walk by faith.

Turns out, the biggest risk, is not taking one.