Children Bible Stories
Children Bible Stories
What Can I Gain from the best Risk Takers in the Bible?
The best Bible for Children are known to be danger takers. Even in the midst of uncertainty, worry and risk, they go ahead. They are capable of giving up comfort, power, prestige and security. And they even risk their credibility, future and own lives as they face what lies ahead. Both the Old and New Testaments are replete with exemplary figures that I can gain from when it comes to taking risks.
In the Old Testament, Abraham and Moses stand out. Abraham, an old man in better-off conditions, set out to an unknown place with his wife, servants and livestock despite his advanced age and socio-economic stability. These are reasons valid enough against any unlikely risk taking. How in the world could he opt for such a risky journey towards uncertainty? He could have spent the remaining days of his life in convenience and peace.
And there is Moses, son of a Hebrew family who was rescued, nurtured and educated by Egyptian elite and power as their own. He was groomed to rule Egypt like the Pharaohs. But his life changed as he discovered his origin. He saw the suffering of his own people under slavery. He suffered at the sight of oppression. He dedicated crime in defense of his people and from then on his life went out of proportion. Egypt closed in on him as the sea and desert opened to scary risks. What drove Moses to face innumerable risks in place of his acquired identity and everything good Egypt had offered him? He could have been much better off ruling at the side of the powerful Pharaoh.
In the New Testimony, I focus on Jesus and Paul as models of risk-taking who have impressed me to no end. Jesus, a simple kid of a carpenter from Nazareth left his hometown to announce the Kingdom of God for the benefit of the ill, the poor, the starving, the downtrodden, the prisoners and the sinners to the point of breaking spiritual laws for their sakes. His words and actions were messages of peace, justice and love. He even called God Abba in the same way a Hebrew son would address his own dad, something daring and blasphemous in his time. By doing so, he became a threat to existing religious structures and ideologies imposed by dominant religious authorities. Eventually, they had Jesus killed to their relief and delight. Jesus assumed the threats of proclaiming what he believed in as God-given truth. Exactly what could have run in his mind to the point of quiting his own life? He might have been safer and more respectable following the official religious standards and prescriptions of his time.
The Jesus who took risks and died was the inspiration and model for Paul, a once staunch defender of his religion and persecutor of Christians. His life had a sudden turnaround upon conversion to Christ. His religion which had provided him prestige, power and sanctity suddenly lost its glamour. His ardor in persecuting the followers of Jesus turned into zeal in proclaiming Christ within and beyond the frontiers of his religion and society. He formed communities in the name of Christ. However both political and spiritual powers protested him. As a Christian, his life was put into a series of risks as he faced hunger, persecution, defamation and consequently, death. What made this devout Paul turn upside down and suffer all sorts of trials? He could have been safe and well under the care of his faith.
Risk takers in the Bible, especially the ones exemplified, have a lot to teach me. First off, I learn that all of them had a vision that was above each and every risk. The promised land and offspring consumed Abraham. Liberation from Egyptian policy and the quest of the promised land drove Moses. The Kingdom of God was the reason for every word and action of Jesus. Living and dying for Christ made Paul run the race to the end. The vision that captured the biblical characters is the final goal, a clear and non-negotiable destination. The risks that come their way are a consequence of an assumed option in view of their vision. Similarly, my life undertakings should be guided by a vision - a clear objective or dream that gives meaning to each and every step I take no matter what risks come along the means. Dangers lose their significance before the vision that sees me with moments of pain and danger.
Second, I learn that every risk taking endeavor needs a strong sense of purpose to prevail over risks. It serves as an inner light to remind me why I am doing what I am doing. It inspires me to believe in my own capacities as well as the people around me. And when I run out of personal resources and external help, I have this light within which keeps on burning. We may call it courage, determination, focus or will power which can go beyond limitations in the face of troubles. Abraham was courageous in his old age. Moses was determined to lead his people to the land of freedom. Jesus did what he did to inaugurate the reign of God on earth. Paul was focused on his mission of announcing Christ among followers and non-believers. In moments of pain, suffering and rejection, they suffered and cried like any regular mortals in times of weak point. But they knew the reason of their toil and sorrow. Threats acquire new meaning because of the burning light within. Please if you desire to read more details find out more here to learn far more!