Risky Business "The Sequel"

My mind has been on a marathon for a week now.   I have been “wrecked” by God: meaning a collision is happening with my heart and mind.  There have been several  bouts of “baby crying” and nights of sleeplessness.    What exactly is it?   Well, I am not sure yet, but wanted to share some random thoughts going through my very active brain this week.    Maybe after you read them, you can share what you know.   I need to hear it!

It all started with our Esther study at a point that I have heard since I was a kid.   Esther entered the presence of the King, uninvited, which could mean death.   Her words leaped out of the page and started the collision.   “If I perish, I perish.     She took a “risk of faith,” not knowing the outcome.   For lack of typing space, I will not go through all the stories in the bible where people took “risks of faith” without knowing the outcome.   

Have you ever heard the saying “Faith is like going down stairs only seeing the next step.”    What if you can’t see the next step?  What if all you see if darkness?  You take the next step, despite the fact, for all you know, there’s nothing to step onto.  

True faith is not about the step; it’s about the One telling you to take the next step.

I step out of the boat knowing that if God doesn’t allow me to walk on water, I will drown.  I face the giant knowing that if God doesn’t give me His strength and power, I will die.

Great risk takers operate in faith in spite of their fear.   They experience God’s favor -- not because they’re better, smarter, were raised in a Christian home, know the bible, and have no baggage.    If these were the requirements for “God’s favor,” most of the bible heroes would have been disqualified.    Fear of failure is what stops “risk taking.”   Because of the gift of choice, what if God uses failure as a tool to mold us?   We see failure as a “self condemnation” tool.  “See, I knew it would fail.”“Nothing ever works out for me.” etc.   Failure should cause us to stop and consider, “What changes do I need to make in order to succeed?”     Taking “risk of faith” will absolutely stop any Pride from creeping in my heart, because it HAS to be all God and NONE of me.   

It is not just humans taking a “risk”.   God works with us, uses us, as imperfect as we are, to carry out His purposes.   Now that is risky business.