«I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours» (Matthew 25:25).
Sometimes we have to make such important decisions that risk paralyzes us. We postpone and turn around, hoping that the problem will go away, immobilized by the terror of making mistakes. Often, in situations like these, we end up making passive decisions (delay until options disappear, inactively choosing the remaining option). Worst of all, we deceive ourselves into thinking that we are being conscientious and cautious, when in reality, it is cowardice that prevents us from moving forward.
German theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote about this tendency to postpone decisions for fear of being wrong. In his book Bonhoeffer, Eric Metaxas shared this: «At some point, a decision must be made. It is no good waiting indefinitely for a sign from heaven. . . . The act of postponing or not making decisions can be more sinful than making wrong choices with faith and love.» Can postponing be more sinful than being wrong? Now I understand why the lord of the parable was so angry with the evil servant. By burying the talent, the servant was not being conscientious, but cowardly (Matthew 25:14-28)!
Christianity is not an insurance policy against all risks. Following Jesus comes at a cost, and there are risks at every step (see Luke 14:25-33), but the greatest risk is idolizing security and getting lost in doing our part.
When the spies went to Canaan, they were terrified to see the giants that inhabited the land. Only Joshua and Caleb were willing to take the risk. The people, consumed by terror, tried to stone them. Evangelist John Piper, in Risk Is Right, said, «As a result, there were thousands of wasted lives and wasted years. It was clearly wrong not to take the risk of facing the giants of the land of Canaan. Oh, how much is wasted when we don’t take a chance for God’s cause!»
Dear Lord, please help me discern the risks I should take; not for people to admire me, or to satisfy my thirst for adventure, but for Your cause and Your glory. I don’t want to put off decisions I can make today or idolize security. With you by my side, I can move forward.
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Take From: Devotional Thoughts for Women 2022
«NO FEARS»
BY: VANEZA PISSUTO
Collaborators: Alexandra Pérez & Angelica Cuate.
