Why risk your life through base jumping off a cliff or cycle at speed along a narrow mountain ridge? We’ve seen the videos on social media of sane people doing things which simply terrify. But why?
I pondered this question this week as Jacqui and I walked along the Main Road in Sulby, from our B&B to the nearby pub for a meal. We were staying for a couple of days in the far north of the Isle of Man, mainly to do some research in my family’s ancestry.
However, this stretch of road is better known the world-over as the Sulby Straight, the fastest stretch of the 38-mile Isle of Man TT Mountain Circuit. Here on this 1.5 mile stretch speeds of 200 mph are achieved. In fact, the fastest speed ever recorded for the event took place here: 206 mph.
As one commentator observed, somewhat obviously: “Not for the faint-hearted.”
We arrived at the motor-bike themed pub, passing a memorial plaque at the entrance. This commemorated one rider who was killed at this very spot, a young man in his prime. I recalled a similar death years ago which devastated a family in our congregation at Heswall, a young man taken in his prime.
For by all accounts the IOM TT races are one of the most dangerous racing events in the world, with no less than 266 fatalities since the first event in 1911. As recently as 2022 tragically five competitors died during the fortnight while another later succumbed to his injuries.
As a result safety measures have become more stringent, aided by modern technology. Thankfully, no one was killed this year.
However, the big question – certainly for risk-averse people like me – is WHY?
To which one rider, Guy Martin, responds: 'The reason I do it is because if you do it wrong, it will kill you. If you think it's too dangerous then go home and cut your lawn and leave us to it.' For the record Martin has broken his back twice in competition.
Or how about this quote from Valentino Rossi, obviously an Italian: “I have huge respect for the racers who ride this circuit flat out on superbikes as it requires massive courage and concentration. It is dangerous and unbelievably fast and entirely different from the kind of track I am used to racing on."
Why not just take up chess, or do the ParkRun? Why risk your life for no obvious benefit – except for the thrill. And I guess, there’s your answer: the thrill.
Certainly at one level, the answer is physiological. It’s all about dopamine, sometimes explained as the brain’s “pleasure chemical.” Many research studies have found that people with a certain dopamine receptor are more likely to be thrill seeking.
Moreover, adolescents are known to be more risk taking, partly because their brains are still developing. But also, as this has to be said, because they are more susceptible to peer pressure.
However, given that we are more than the sum of the chemical processes of our brains, why do we willingly - at least some of us – engage in highly dangerous activities?
It may be simply to impress others or to be welcomed into a particular social group. Certainly winners of the TT races are accorded great honour and subsequent rewards to make their risk-taking apparently worthwhile, at least for them.
But there is a deeper motivation which God has placed into the heart of each human being: our need for adventure.
This was the conclusion reached by Swiss psychotherapist, Paul Tournier, considered the twentieth century's most famous Christian physician. “Life can become once more a grand adventure if we will surrender it to God. He brings one adventure to an end, only to open another to us. With him we must be ready for anything.”
So what happens when Jesus says: Follow me? Simon Peter and Andrew at once left their nets, James and John immediately bade farewell to their father. Why? They were embarking on an adventure.
In doing so they were doing what we were each created for, the freely taken decision to entrust our lives to God, not knowing what’s going to happen around the next corner As Jesus teaches his followers: “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” (Matthew 8:20).
Or as the Message somewhat colourfully paraphrases: “Are you ready to rough it? We’re not staying in the best inns, you know.”
So the question has to be: Are we ready to rough it, for Jesus? Are we prepared to leave the crowd and instead go through the small gate and take the narrow path? As John Wimber famously observed: “Faith is spelt R I S K.”
We don’t like risk, but there again – we do. It’s how God has made us, for risk-taking. Again to quote Tournier: “If it is not fearful, it is not worthwhile.”
It’s one thing to jump off a cliff or ride a bike at 206mph but they are essentially synthetic, confusing thrill with true adventure, the venture of faith. So God calls to step out in trust and dare to believe in his promises.
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