Risk Management

The church pays over $1000 each month to an insurance company which gives us, in return, a promise to reduce our liability if one of our a buildings is damaged by fire or if we are sued by someone injured on our premises. At the time of renewal the company sends a person to visit who reviews our procedures and our properties. His job is to assess the risks and to suggest ways that we can reduce the likelihood of a claim being filed against our policy. He notes all kinds of things - big and small. He sees the issues that I have either ignored or just not even been aware are a risk. "Tighten that handrail." "Install a warning sign." "Add this safety device to the boiler." The risk management expert advises the church of ways to be a more safe place.

If you're like most people, you practice risk management everyday - consciously and unconsciously. You put on a seatbelt when you drive. Why? It is a proven way to reduce the risk of injury or death in an automobile accident. You don't smoke, right? It is a proven way to reduce the likelihood of many health issues occurring later in life! I take my daily vitamins, my 81 mg of aspirin, and eat less red meat. Why? Heart health!
But, no matter how carefully we try to eliminate risk factors in our lives - the unexpected happens.

Yesterday (August 1, 2007) residents of Minneapolis, Minnesota were commuting home from work on I-35 around 6 pm local time. As traffic slowed to a crawl due to construction, about 50 vehicles were on a six lane bridge that spanned the Mississippi River when it suddenly collapsed. Several people died, dozens were injured. Who could have anticipated that 'risk?' Not any of those drivers, to be sure. We all deal with issues beyond our abilities of control everyday. If we thought about each tiny risk, every possible danger, we would be unable to leave our home - and even there we would be in some danger of the unexpected.

In our increasingly complex world is it any wonder that more and more people are full of anxiety? What we fail to realize is that while some risks have increased, many have decreased as a result of safer cars, better roads, more understanding of health concerns, and legislation that governs our environs. But, because we have a window on the world in our television which brings tragedies far and wide into our living room, many of feel less safe despite the fact that we live longer and more safely than any previous generation of Americans!

We cannot eliminate all risk. The unavoidable fact is we are mortals and ... well, need I state the obvious? So how can we live with serenity? Set your hope in God! As I've written many times, our faith does not exempt us from all of life's difficulties. Followers of Jesus experience the same kind of accidents and illnesses that are common to humanity. The difference is that we never walk alone! Even in death, we have a Friend who is with us. The Bible says, "Since God assured us, "I’ll never let you down, never walk off and leave you," we can boldly quote, 'God is there, ready to help; I’m fearless no matter what. Who or what can get to me?' " (Hebrews 13:5-6, The Message) Don't let those words just be a motto, a saying repeated in crisis time for comfort. Make them the core of your life. When anxiety creeps up on you (and it will) make a decision to trust God completely.

The Word teaches us to "Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil." (Proverbs 3:5-7, NLT) Talk about having a risk management expert! Seek Him and He will direct you. Admit your need of guidance and He'll give you insight! Do what is right in His sight and enjoy His provision of peace in the middle of life's storms.

Life is unpredictable. You and I can do all we are able to do but things beyond our control still happen. We can live fearfully or we can live faithfully. That is our choice.
"Have you never heard? Have you never understood?
The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth.
He never grows weak or weary.
No one can measure the depths of his understanding.
He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless.
Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion.

But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.
They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary.
They will walk and not faint."(Isaiah 40:28-31, NLT)