August 17, 2025

I remember a few years ago research was released on chemicals called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. These are chemicals created when portions of red meat like fat and creatine are exposed to high heat. In other words when you cook steak or other red meat on a grill, you might be at increased risk for cancer. When people heard this they were somewhat troubled because who doesn’t love a BBQ? Ultimately though nothing happened for most people the flavour of red meat cooked over fire was worth the risk. They were not willing to give it up even if they knew it was safer. 

Similarly during covid it was widely known that lower body weight and healthier eating vastly reduced the risk posed by the virus. Again very few people seriously endeavoured to cut their weight or made serious changes to their eating or overall physical health. 

These two examples are but two of many which could be given to illustrate the trade off and risk assessment that we all make in our lives. We all engage in some activity that involves risk and we have different levels of comfort with how much risk we are willing to take. 

This brings us to the point I want to make which is a little more serious. You may recall a passage of scripture in Genesis three where Adam and Eve have eaten the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. They then hear God walking in the garden and instead of going to spend time with him which seemingly was their practice they hide. When God calls they give up hiding and go face the music. 

There are many people living in sin away from God today. They like Adam and Eve hear God calling in many ways. Maybe even through interacting with Christians who are seeking to share the good news with them. However instead of responding to God’s call they assess their options. They know there are things they like that they would need to give up most especially their mistaken notion that they are in charge of their lives. Rather than surrender they keep hiding from God and will even become frustrated angry or withdrawn if anyone or anything risks exposing them.

We must keep in mind that as we reach out to people some of those people are still in hiding. These are lost but don’t want to be found. We don’t stop trying but we do understand that when we don’t get a good reaction even when truth is lovingly shared there is often a reason that has nothing to do with us.

Kevin Cleary