Risk It to Get The Biscuit


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Risk – we grew up playing it and now we lay awake at night thinking about it. The former describes the board game while the latter concerns the calculated decisions we make throughout our days… or do we?

Have we become more averse to risk? Do we risk it to get the biscuit? When is the last time you risked it for the communal biscuit?

University of Chicago economist Steven Levitt recently conducted an experiment on risk. He issued an invitation to individuals who faced a significant life decision. Such decisions included a job change, a move, a marriage proposal, etc. Not only did these individuals face a proverbial split in the road, but Levitt also asked if they would be willing to let a coin flip determine their decision. Over 20,000 people responded to his invitation.  

Heads meant yes, take the risk; tails meant no, stick to the status quo.

After 6 months, Levitt went back and surveyed the participants. He found that those who took the risk were happier than the average tails person. When people took the risk, regardless of the outcome, they were happier than if they simply stuck to the status quo.

In the Scriptures, Jesus likens the kingdom of heaven to a risk.

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.” (Mt. 13:44)

This man took a risk. He sold it all so that he might purchase the field to gain the treasure. But unlike treasure here on earth, this treasure cannot be destroyed by rust or stolen by thieves.

As those who seek to build the kingdom here on Earth, what keeps us from taking the risk? In 2019, there are at least 2 sources that feed our aversion: complacency and technology.

Complacency

Habits can beneficially structure our lives but also detrimentally lull us from seeing the opportunities in life. Going through the proverbial motions can keep us from seizing the divine risks that surround us.

One of my favorite studies as of late explored how eating popcorn with chopsticks increased levels of happiness. The researchers found that when people do something new, they pay more attention to it. And when they pay attention to something they enjoy, they enjoy it more. Thus, eating popcorn slowly with chopsticks increased happiness. Monotonous popcorn eating lulls you, keeping you from enjoying that delicious movie snack.

Another example includes breakfast. A recent survey found that the majority of American men eat the same breakfast every day. Count me as average – a peanut butter protein bar, fruit, and coffee. Regarding the British, 33 percent of adults in the UK eat the same lunch every day.

While habits structure our lives they can also keep us from venturing outside the structures.

Consider Luke 8 and the bleeding woman. The agenda had Jesus attending to Jarius’s daughter. This ruler of the synagogue desperately needed Jesus to come quickly and bring healing to his little girl. Jesus was on his way… until he wasn’t. As he made his way through the crowd, he noticed as a bleeding woman grabbed him – specifically the hem of his garment.

Jesus was so fully present in the moment that he noticed the slight tugging of his robe. He was eating popcorn with chopsticks. Jesus refused to be lulled into the next thing. Jesus wasn’t going through the motions but was completely alive in the motions to pause and take a risk.

Associating with this unclean woman would likely sully his name. Failing to save the little girl for the ruler of the local synagogue would be a huge missed opportunity. Yet Jesus took the risk.

Technology

If complacency lulls us then technology has the capacity to incapacitate us from taking risks. Don’t get me wrong – technology is a wonderful tool but a horrendous master. Technology allows us to stay connected to distant relatives, converse with old friends, and produce greater efficiencies in the workplace. The list could go on and on. However, technology also has the capacity to keep us from seeing or taking the risks that surround us.

The average adult checks his phone 30 times a day. The average millennial checks her phone more than 150 times a day. A Nielsen report released recently showed that adults aged 35 to 49 were found to spend an average of 6 hours 58 minutes a week on social media networks, compared with 6 hours 19 minutes for the millennial group.

Seventy-seven percent say it is ok to use your cell phone while walking. Individuals who use their cell phone while walking are often referred to as “deadwalkers.” Enough walking has been shown to build up an appetite. Concerning a meal, 38 percent believe it is ok to use your phone at a restaurant. However, research indicates that the mere presence of a phone hinders the connection between people as well as limits your cognitive abilities. When you see a phone on the table, your attention divides. When you place your phone on your desk, your concentration diminishes.

Sherry Turkle, a professor in the program of Science, Technology, and Society at MIT, recently released a new book entitled Reclaiming Conversation: The Power of Talk in a Digital Age. In it, she elaborates upon the current context and dynamics of public cell phone usage. According to Turkle, cell phones are inhibiting individuals from embracing solitude and causing a decrease in levels of empathy towards others. By trying to connect with various other people and accomplish a number of other things, the phone is no longer a communicative device. As Turkle concludes: “Our phones are not accessories, but psychologically potent devices that change not just what we do but who we are.”

Jonathan Franzen agrees, going so far as to write: “The problem with making a virtual world of oneself is akin to the problem with projecting ourselves onto a cyberworld: there’s no end of virtual spaces in which to seek stimulation, but their very endlessness, the perpetual stimulation without satisfaction, becomes imprisoning.”

Complacency lulls us and technology distracts us from the divine risks that surround us.

Risk

If we can resist complacency and technology, eventually the time will come to take a risk. The daunting decision lays before us each and every day. Risk on behalf of the Kingdom of God always requires someone to temporarily sacrifice with the hope of securing a great reward.

But for the Christian, risks are safe bets. As those who follow Jesus, we know when we act in faith we will never come away empty-handed (1 Cor. 15:58).

Why? Consider the theology of God relative to provision.

He never sleeps, powerfully and patiently keeping watch over you.

“He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber;” (Ps. 121:3)

He can’t wait to talk with you.

“… but he delights in the prayers of the upright.” (Pro. 15:8)

He can open his hand and provide for you.

“You open your hand, and satisfy the desire of every living thing.” (Ps. 145:16)

He never lacks and always stands ready.

“And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:19)

He was willing to give his own son.

“Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else?” (Rm. 8:32)

We come from a long line of risk takers. Abraham risked it by leaving his home. Daniel risked it by standing up to his boss. Paul risked it by leaving his job. They all left what they knew and experienced more of God than they could imagine (Eph. 3:20-21).

When we take the risk to build onto His kingdom, we find a God bigger than we once understood and a life more filled with joy than we could have ever dreamed.