Gambling with our lives

I’ve never really considered myself much of a gambler in the traditional sense. Sure, I’ve been to Las Vegas and put a few coins in a slot machine, but I’ve never played much poker and when I did, I did not do very well.

In another sense, however, I’ve been gambling my whole life. We all have. We are constantly placing our bets. I placed my bets on schooling, family, civility, baseball, fishing, cycling and (often) playing it safe. Almost every choice we make represents a bet we’re placing with our time, resources, energy-with our lives. Many of us work hard to be responsible and careful in our choices, but in every choice we make there is a degree of faith or trust in someone or something.

Jesus’ call and invitation is to place our bets on him, on love, on forgiveness, on service. Jesus took up the cross, placed his bets on God’s love, and we are the winners of that gamble. What does it look like to pick up our cross every day and to lose our lives for his sake?

God of love, you risked your child to give us life. Give us the courage to risk in your name so that we may truly live. Amen. — PCH