https://odb.org/MY/2023/08/09/good-trouble-2
Today’s ODB life story is an interesting one. A girl saw her classmate cutting his arm with a razor. She took it from him and threw it away. But as she had the razor with her for a moment, which was not allowed in that school, she was given a 10-day suspension. Although the suspension was subsequently lifted, it illustrates the point that sometimes, in doing good, we may risk a sanction or punishment. Will we do good if there is a risk?
Recently, I helped a colleague who was facing an internal domestic inquiry that was politically motivated and targeted his boss. He was implicated in the crossfire, and he asked me to be one of his two representatives at the domestic inquiry. My other colleagues told me to stay away since the company may be looking at getting rid of his boss, but I feel that I couldn’t abandon him since we worked at the project together. I was clearly trying to do a good deed at the workplace to demontrate Christ, but it comes with a risk. Will we stand with someone because it is the right thing to do, although it could be risky?
Missionaries of old brave crocodiles and wild beasts to enter deep into the interiors to preach, sometimes even to head-hunting tribes and most if not all, ended up as trophies for the warriors of those tribes. The Bataks of Sumatra knew Christ and are today proud Christians because of the risk and sacrifice taken by those early missionaries. A modern-day Batak is a close friend, and he is proud of his heritage and thankful that his people know God because of the risky good done by the early missionaries. There are still many today risking life and liberty reaching out to the unreached in closed countries.
Will we, as Christians, stand with someone because we believe in a cause. Will we do good, although there is a risk attributed to it? Do we believe that in doing so, we are demonstrating God’s love and compassion? Do we dare to be like Jesus, who showed God’s love and mercy by healing the man with a shrivelled hand on the Sabbath when no Jew was supposed to be doing any work? God’s intention for the Sabbath is for His people to take a rest one day of the week, but surely if someone is dying, we will attempt to save that person despite it being the Sabbath?
The message today is that we can not be risk adverse as believers. We can not always be taking the safe path as there will be trials and tribulations in the path of righteousness. Even obeying the Holy Spirit and moving out in faith requires us to take risks and throw caution to the wind. Do what is right, and trust God to do the rest.
Ronnie's Thoughts 