The Idolatry of Pursuing Risk-free Living

In no way to minimize the magnitude of the recent disaster in Japan (earthquake, tsunami, radiation from nuclear reactors, frigid weather), nor to suggest that people do not need to be accountable for their work and everything possible should be done to be as safe and prepared as possible, but removing all risk from life is impossible. I do not mean to suggest a policy for future nuclear electric plants or a solution to the tension between economy and environment, but every human endeavor comes with costs and dangers.

Responding and planning from fear will almost always head in the wrong direction. Pursuing short term gains almost always produces unforeseen and unintended consequences. Responsible dialog and problem solving are impossible in an adversarial political environment. Christians who are serious disciples of Jesus do not agree on how best to approach the challenges of our 21^st century world, sometimes this may be because we too easily let our social/political presuppositions trump faith and theology. But maybe as much as the brokenness of our world is not amenable to solutions short of the fullness of the Kingdom of God. To expect those who are in positions of public power and influence who are not serious disciples of Jesus to make decisions as though they were is unfair and unrealistic.

From the natural disaster in Japan (even in an earthquake prone region, no one could have predicted or prepared for something of this magnitude) to the violence of Libya, we feel distant and helpless. We anguish over the human cost of delayed difficult decisions, yet know that hasty decisions reap disaster. Rather than a “Christian” solution to these human tragedies, I suggest that the best contribution those of us who aspire to be total disciples of Jesus can make to our world is to demonstrate how to live by faith in the face of risk and danger – how to depend on God when the best human efforts fail.

Psalm 146:3-9 gives an appropriate perspective. “Do not put your trust in princes, in mortals, in whom there is no help. When their breath departs, they return to the earth; on that very day their plans perish. Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them; who keeps faith forever; who executes justice for the oppressed; who gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets the prisoners free; the Lord opens the eyes of the blind. The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down; the Lord loves the righteous. The Lord watches over the strangers; he upholds the orphan and the widow, but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.”