Risky Business Is Contagious… Hello Hump Day readers. My devotion today is “what kind of risk are you willing to take?” I chose this subject because it reminded me of when Al and I were up in Ouray, Colorado in September for ten glorious days. On one day, however, we encountered…well, read on…

We were heading to Telluride. A group of 10+ Harley Riders decided to play ‘risky business’. The highway was packed and they didn’t like it. All but two riders did the right thing. The others—they tried going around on the right of me—I thought my door was going to be toast. They also went in-between traffic; one almost clipped Al’s driver-side mirror. People honked at them—they got the middle finger. The riders turned up their radios and continued for miles. I called 911 (many did). It didn’t take long for State Troopers to find these idiots—they had to put the pedal-to-the metal to get them. Three were hurt, one of them was air-evacuated. Why? He tried to out-run a train! And one more thing, each rider had his lady on the back–some were screaming—talk about crazy, it was indeed!

Roger Cyr is from Canada and works along with the US in trying to avert vehicle accidents. It’s interesting that both of our countries have the same problem! 43% occur at crossings with flashing lights/bells/gates. It’s a 50/50 with vehicles and motorcycles. He says: “Studies have shown that when people hear a train whistle, or are stuck in heavy traffic, their minds tell them to accelerate their speed.” Over 75% of the time, those risks end in tragedy.

After our encounters and then reading this work from Roger Cyr, it made me think of myself. How often have I thought “I’m invincible—I can do this—get out of my way!” Too often, that’s for sure. The problem of this is how we forget our sins, we want to do what we-want-to-do and that takes precedence. Charging headfirst into situations we think we can handle results, like the motorcyclist in my story, is us pushing God aside and embracing destructive behavior.

The Apostle James in 1:14-15 NLT has words for us to memorize when we are “hell-bent-to-do-what we want to do” even if God says ‘no’: “Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.”

We can read these disturbing statistics and shake our heads, but the truth is that many who profess their faith in God, do the exact same thing with sin as people who don’t believe in sin. How sad is that? Those who love the Lord should not be in “risky business” but let’s face it, that is the sin we ALL have, and when we want what we want we take unnecessary risks.

Contagious Sins Put Us at Risk a quote I heard on a podcast from Pastor Rick Warren. Like Covid, flu, RSV, etc., this contagion can be deadly. No medicine in the world will cure it. Only the power of Jesus Christ can take away our sins. Proverbs 22:24-25 [NLT] says: “Don’t befriend angry people or associate with hot-tempered people, or you will learn to be like them and endanger your soul.”

In Ephesians 4:28 [NLT] the Apostle Paul speaks to ‘contagious sins’ saying: “If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need.”

OK—we are getting ready for Thanksgiving, and then Christmas. The latter is one that grabs us to “risky business” in our wallet, friendships, family…statistics tell us that Christmas is a time of depression, anger, withdrawal, etc. How about we rest in the goodness of our Savior, and take his medicine to cure our risky business of contagious sins. Could it just be that these beloved holidays might come alive with joy, peace, true grace and the love and hope we all need? I’m thinking it would be a great start—how about you? AMEN.