Risky Living

In view of all this ( the prayer of remembrance) we are making a binding agreement in writing on a sealed document containing the names of our leaders, Levites, and priests.

The rest of the people- the priests, singers, and temple servants, gatekeepers along with their wives, sons, and daughters, everyone who is able to understand and who has separated themselves from the surrounding people's to obey the law of God- join with their noble brothers and commit themselves with a sworn oath to follow the law of God given through God's servant Moses and to carefully obey all the commands, ordinances, and statutes of Yahweh our Lord. Nehemiah 9:38, 10:28,29

The conviction of God's word causes the people to want to change. In a heady moment they are determined to right their ways and they write this all down, much like a New Year's Eve resolution.

However, just like a New Year's Eve resolution they will fail because good intentions do not make new behaviours. The change must be from deep within, following a deep repentance.

Repentance that is shallow will not bring fruits of change, however, deep repentance changes a person.

This past week I found that I had, through risky behaviour, put another's identity at jeopardy. I was mortified with my behaviour, reported it to the authorities and am determined to speak to the person face to face. If I wither in my determination to speak to the person concerned then how deep is my resolve? The morning after this mishap I had a dream. In the dream I was playing with a loaded semi-automatic rifle and it discharged. I could not see where the bullet went and so assumed all was well, until.... I heard someone saying there was a lost child, he could not be found. I looked out of the window and saw a boy lying on the ground, dead. Then I awoke. Can you imagine the impact this dream had?

There are things we do, because of convenience or slackness that are risky. What we do in life can hurt or permanently injure others.

In the city I live in there are long cross roads that cut across major highways. One of these roads comes down a hill and there is an inclination to speed. Late at night we can miss the junction, especially as there are no lights and run the risk of hitting traffic that comes along the highway, especially as there is a shed just at the junction that can obscure headlights. Last night someone did just that, collided with a car travelling down the highway, ending up rolling the car. Speeding in the first place was the error and failing to stop no matter what. The second driver could have been killed, fortunately was not.

Allowing God to control and direct our hearts will control how we treat others. When busy or under pressure the inclination is to take risks. The kind of risks we should take is, what is God saying, can I trust Him for timing, can I slow down and do things right? He took a risk by dying for us so that we could be in relationship with Him, forever. This is the risk He takes, otherwise His steps are measured. Amen! And many of us would consider Him slow to act.