Romans 16:4

^4 They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them.

For whom have you risked you life lately? To be honest, I have not. In Iraq, there were some tense moments, but none that involved me risking myself for another. Even in my financial giving I don’t give to the point that I do without the essentials. I give away my ability to purchase a flat-screened TV, new living room furniture, the non-essentials. Do I give to the point of risk, maybe not. The Dutch people during the Nazi rule of terror are known to have risked their lives saving the lives of others. Their faith drove them to action. Individuals who provide shelter from a violent husband, who stand up and stop a fight at school knowing there could be a gun, or who go to a Muslim county to share the love of Jesus; these are some examples of this type of risk. Perhaps we will never be put in this type of situation, but if we are, we must not run from it. The worst thing that could happen is we get killed and we spend eternity with Jesus. For the Christian we can’t lose. But we must be ready before that moment comes. We must be used to responding to the Spirit the moment He speaks, our lives ever yielding to the gentle breeze of His voice. Sometimes our own busyness prevents us from experiencing that breeze. We are moving so fast, that the gentle breeze of the Spirit gets overpowered by our own rush through life. We must quiet ourselves and be still in order to hear the gentle whisper. Take time today and listen.