Priorities and Risks

These words, priorities, and risks seem to contradict each other, and both are found in the book of Matthew.

In many ways, Jesus’ whole ministry was about setting priorities and preaching those priorities to his followers.  His number one priority on earth was to be on ‘mission,’ the mission to glorify the Father by making a way for everyone to be in a relationship with Him.

Jesus even went to an extreme preaching the priority of this mission when he said in Matthew 8:21-22, “Lord, first let me return home and bury my father.” But Jesus said, “Follow me now…”

Two chapters earlier, he had made this point in a different way when he said: Seek ye first the kingdom of…” Here again, Jesus was speaking of keeping your priorities straight.

In contrast, Jesus also spoke about taking risks.

Later in Matthew chapter 25:14-30, we find the parable of the talents. Here we see the ones who took risks praised heavily, but the one who did not squander the money yet did not grow it either was rebuked. The lesson here is to multiply our assets by investing them wisely.

Set priorities and take risks for growth.

The mission was the priority, the repeated question of ’why’  keeping all actions moving toward the ultimate goal.

But, asking why does not stop a person from taking risks. It might do the opposite.  

Working toward and accomplishing a goal, fulfilling a mission, may require risks or conquering obstacles.

It seems Jesus’ example is showing us that there needs to be a balance between risk and security, with the ultimate guiding principle being the mission.

I am not very good at taking risks.  As I look back on my decades as an adult, I wonder what I might have accomplished if I had known earlier the importance of jumping out of my comfort zone.