TAKING THE PLUNGE

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 1, Issue 2, 14 June 1983, Page 13

TAKING THE PLUNGE

by

Kerry

Enright

After months of preparation, researching the market, costing premises and staff, drafting a budget, assessing the risks, someone has made a decision that a newspaper in the Waimarino should be viable. At least, I guess that

is what happened. There came that moment when someone decided that the risk was worth it, and that the

only sure way to determine viability was to begin. Every important decision involves these stages. Col-

lection of the evidence, evaluation and preparation lead to that risky step which finally commits itself or backs off. Marriage is a risky business these days. More than one in four are dissolved. We would be fools if we did not think and consider before marriage. We try to discover as much as we can about the other person. If the relationship grows there comes that time when, based on what we know, we make a lifelong commitment. We cannot wait until we know everything. That would be never. We take a step of faith in ourselves and another, based on what we already know. The same stages can be applied to beginning the Christian life. Jesus says two words — "Follow me". That means believing that Jesus is one worthy to be followed and doing something as a result of it. It involves listening and examining the evidence, and then beginning. It is right that we should count the cost. History is replete with false prophets. Nine hundred cyanide-ridden bodies lying lifeless in a clearing of the Guyana wilderness come vividly to mind, as do the rantings of a misguided and misguiding madman. Jim Jones and Jonestown bear witness to our credulity. We are often prepared to believe too much rather than too little. But in every realm where truth is sought the hour comes when discovery depends not on discussion and argument, but on experiment, on decision, and on action. The Christian life means following Christ, beginning with what we can trust and moving on. And of course, the bachelor who cannot decide whether to marry or not, has made up his mind. If month after month we cannot make up our mind about committing ourselves to follow Jesus, we have made up our mind. We are rejecting him. Studdert Kennedy puts it clearly. "I bet my life Upon one side in life's great war. I must. I can't stand out. I must take sides. The man Who is neutral in this fight is not A man. He's bulk and body without breath. I want to live, live out, not wobble through My life somehow, and then into the dark. I must have God. This life's too dull without. Too dull for aught but suicide. I can't stand shivering on the bank. I plunge Head first."