Be Careful, Take Risks

Ephesians 5:15-17

"Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is."

We don’t usually associate obedience with adventure, but when God is leading us, they always go together.

Paul says much the same thing. “Be careful – grasp every opportunity”. Grasping opportunity implies taking risks, sticking your neck out, trying new things, welcoming change and taking initiative. It seems that most believers are risk-averse. How can we combine being careful with grasping every opportunity?

The carefulness Paul advises is in how we live. We are to make sure we live as God intended, following his example (5: 1). What we do is grasp every opportunity to live as children of light, to let our light shine, and to transform our world.

What does it take to grasp every opportunity?

As a minimum it means being prepared to do so. We must be living lives worthy of our calling and we must be ready to move at a moment’s notice. It also means recognizing opportunities when we see them.

Grasping every opportunity also implies a willingness to take risks. We belong to a culture that values safety more than accomplishment or fruitfulness. Jesus told the disciples the story of the servants being given money to invest while he was away (Matt. 25: 14-30). Apparently all but one of the servants tried to multiply the money given to them. Those who succeeded were commended as “good and faithful” servants. The disciple who protected the mina given to him but failed to take a risk with it, was called a “wicked and lazy” servant.

On another occasion Jesus said to the disciples, “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and innocent as doves” (Matt. 10:16). He knew that was risky, but still sent his disciples into the world to make disciples. Their only weapons were shrewdness and innocence. Being unwise and foolish has no part in the Kingdom of God .

There are two other things necessary to grasp opportunities to minister - knowledge of the times and knowledge of the Lord’s will. The days are evil and believers are to be “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation…[shining] among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life” (Phil. 2: 15-16).

Grant us understanding, Father, as we engage our world in Jesus’ name. May we grasp every opportunity that you present to us to live out the gospel in our world.

posted by Will Ravelob at PHIAA egroup