Reckless victory

There is this dance between a reckless life and playing it safe. I know all about bills. I know all about body pain. Yet, time and time again it’s the thrill of the kill that fuels a life. We get into debt to have that toy. At times, we push it too far to win the game. Isn’t that living life to the fullest. Playing life’s game to win is fun. Sure, there is more to life, but at its core we play the game.

            Many years ago, I was married and thought life consisted of working, having children and doing special things once and awhile. Life just floated along. It was success to have a home. There was success to have a job. I suppose there is victory in having a family. I know those are not the only goals people have. It’s not the only dream. Oh, dreams? We all seem to have those. We dream of a good life, success, and things unexplained. Our life is found in our dreams. Why? Because dreams are the essence of reckless chaos.

            I have had dreams of winning. Usually the dream is weird and confusing, yet I win. In life people who think outside the box live a crazy life. They invent the things we could not possibly imagine. They dream of the impossible in the world. These people never quit. They are willing to chance money, time and reputation to see their dreams come true. How about cell phones, computers, and airplanes? There is reckless risk and reckless reward. The thrill is not to kill but to succeed.

            I believed once that I could public speak, yet I was afraid. Years later I have become bold and confident in speaking in a crowd. It was reckless to try. It was crazy to keep saying yes to speaking engagements, yet here I am a public speaker. Boys practice hockey to play in the NHL Girls work hard to be lawyers and doctors. I know some people say stop, it’s too hard. It costs too much. However, these men and women push on to fill their reckless dreams.

            What does God have to say about this? The life of Jesus is reckless. He lived and preached in the wilderness. On occasion, he ventured into the big city to challenge the men of the synagogue. Other times he healed the blind and cured the leapers. He insulted the religious authorities and mildly proclaimed himself God. If that is not reckless then what is. The best part is the people. The thousands kept coming. 12 men believed in him. Their lives were turned upside down. God is not passive as we think. There is chaos in creation and chaos in the life of God and his people. Religion never rests.

            So where does that leave us. Are we dangling at the mercy of our dreams? Is reckless abandon the only way to have dreams come true? I endorse asking God to fill your dreams. In reality, there are reckless unrealistic dreams and the fun ones we could fill. God will give perspective on what dreams to pursue. The God side does have a reckless nature to it. I knew an organization that wanted to give men a breakfast. The tickets always sold poorly. Yet, every year it was sold out. The cool part is the leader. He had to take a chance and use his visa to book the hall. He got used to taking reckless chances for a good dream.

            Be willing to live an uncertain life. Is life really certain anyways? Reckless can be as fun as a roller coaster. You will fail but you will learn to win through those failures. God is patience but God is mysterious. He does things his way. Most of the time that is reckless and nuts. Life is meant to be lived. Lived in a safe straight line? It never has and never will be that way.

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