“Real Risk“

What it means to “really risk” something

So recently I’ve been caught up in the concept of risk, and really revolving around this concept, “What does it really mean to risk something?” I am constantly thinking about one of my favorite quotes by C.S. Lewis:

“Only a real risk tests the reality of a belief.” (A Grief Observed pg.23)

We’ve all witnessed social media, television and other forms of media talk about people being “brave” or “bold” usually when referring to arbitrary forms of bravery. I am reminded of Bruce Jenner’s transformation to what ever he calls himself these days, but I ask the question, “Is that really “Brave”?”

I served in the United States Navy from 1999 through 2003, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2002 – 2003, spent considerable amount’s of time at sea upon the USS Abraham Lincoln, certainly risk was always a factor, bravery was required in certain forms, but I was never shot at, and for all I can remember my life never really in that much danger. I know good men and women who really “risked” everything, some never to return home from far away places… certainly that is more risk than a man feeling like he’s now a woman!

Risk is something that honestly comes across the plate of every person, it has no regard of race, religion, preference… it is a risk to venture to do anything, but some risks obviously are greater than others… so my question really becomes…

Which Risk’s are worthy?

I can remember sitting in my apartment in 2005 talking with my roommate Brent, about the idea of a major “risk” in every man’s young life, whether or not to propose to my now wife Amberasia. risk vs. reward, we had only been dating for about two weeks at the time, but I knew unequivocally that I loved her and wanted to spend the rest of my life with her. The “risk” did she? We had great connection, I was and am still infatuated and entranced by her looks, her personality and her humble grace and loving kindness… But did she reciprocate? Only through risk could I ever know…

I am honored to say that we’ve been married thirteen wonderful years, and have three amazing children, but it all really started with risk, and trust, or faith one might say.

I would chalk this up in the category of a “Worthy Risk”, but if i’m admitting that there are worthy risks, that means conversly there are additionally, “unworthy risks”, So they challenge goes back to Lewis’ quote, it becomes the benchmark, do I really believe what I am going to risk is true?

The Greatest Risk of All

In the early first century one man risked everything, in some sense he tested the reality of belief, his followers tested the reality of their belief, Jesus Christ is a belief, not in merely a man, but is Jesus who he says he is… profoundly that he was in fact God himself, not merely a manifestation of God but incarnation, or in the flesh… It reminds me of a statement, again by C.S. Lewis, “Jesus is Liar, Lunatic, or Lord.” every person whether Atheist, Agnostic, Theist, or Christian has to make the eternal risk answering this question, and approaching death upon the answer we give to the aforementioned question, What is Jesus to you? Is he as the Atheist and Agnostic might state a Liar or Lunatic, the Theist may say that Jesus was a lunatic or liar, the Christian will risk it all and say that Jesus is Lord! going confidentially into the eternality that is what happens to us post-life.

The “risk” becomes an easier burden because of the decision to follow Christ, making us sons and daughters of God, the free gift of salvation, making death a non-problem!