We Are All At Risk
I know. I know. You probably don’t want to read another blog post about the coronavirus or Covid-19. I get it. Neither do I, and I certainly don’t want to write another one!
However, I have heard this sentence used over and over again concerning the virus. Sometimes it has been talking about those with serious underlying health issues, but when we try to explain that to another person, what we hear is “We’re all at risk.” And that is most certainly true.
As I contemplated that sentence the last time I heard it, my mind went in an entirely different direction. I’d like to share some of those thoughts for your contemplation. Some of these thoughts may not apply to you, but I don’t doubt that some of them will – because I know that some of them apply to me and those I know.
We are all at risk when:
- The things of this world are more important than the things of God. When our job, our health, our home, our friends, our reputation, our popularity, etc. becomes more important than God and His word…we are at risk (Matt. 13:22)! When is the last time you opened your Bible at home and studied from God’s word? Have you talked with God in prayer, or do other things get in the way of that? These are questions that should help us decide if we are at risk.
- Aren’t we all at risk in our families when communication breaks down in our homes? I have spent time recently with people who are describing a total breakdown in communication between husband and wife, or between parents and children. The entire family unit is at risk when this happens. When lack of communication is allowed to go on for long periods of time, people grow farther and farther apart and the result is a damaged family or another statistic for the divorce courts.
- Aren’t our children at risk when parents choose worldly training over spiritual training? Fathers (parents) are commanded to “bring up (train) their children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Proverbs 22:6; Eph. 6:4). How often does the balance between worldly training and spiritual training get out of whack? Which side usually wins? It takes an honest heart to realize that we have put more weight on the worldly side than the spiritual side in our families. Just one example should suffice for this point. Is homework or a school activity more important than Bible class on Wednesday night, or Sunday evening services? We’re really at risk if our answer is “yes.”
- Aren’t marriage partners at risk when the attention of another person becomes more important than your spouse? Or maybe it’s just that group of friends who share your same hobby. Or maybe it’s that phone in your hand that takes all of your attention away from your spouse. Whatever or whoever consumes your attention and moves you away from your marriage partner puts you at risk. Most affairs begin with something that seems quite innocent, but James reminds us that this path can lead to temptation that ends with sin and death (James 1:13-15).
- We are at risk when we think that all of these things I’ve mentioned (and more I could have mentioned) apply to everyone else. It makes me think of the account of David after he has committed adultery with Bathsheba and Nathan is sent by God to tell him of his sin (2 Samuel 12:1-15). We know that David was a man after God’s own heart. We also know that he sinned grievously against God. One of the best lessons from this account is the fact that David accepted the wrong he had done and pleaded with God to forgive him. We are at risk of losing our eternal home in heaven if we fail to recognize the wrongs that we do and ask for forgiveness.
The coronavirus or Covid-19 will subside and we will not be at such risk for this particular illness. However, the temptation by Satan to sin will always be here on this earth. We will always be at risk…every last one of us.
Our only hope, physically and spiritually, is to trust God and follow Him, and remain faithful to Him. If we do that from our hearts, there is zero risk.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths” (Prov. 3:5-6).
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AUTHOR: Donna Faughn
