Taking Risks
There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that the challenges we continue to face have something to do with our ability to take risks and resist the temptation to settle for safety; the comfort zone. I respect a good resting place, but one doesn’t simply rest without contemplating about how it would be if they left that level of comfort and convenience. Which got me thinking; if I continue to routinely operate within comfort zones, I will not know how to rise up when the comfort fades away, nor will I be capable of embracing growth in uncomfortable situations.
I have always noticed that the trials and tribulations that come against me are also a part of the design for my life to become stronger, more resilient, persevere, and rest in His word. However, choices that present themselves to me are chosen based on two factors:
Did I pray on this? If not, I refrain from calling several people to pick their brain about my choices; it’s not that other people don’t have good suggestions or answers, but I have learned to listen more clearly to what He has to say first.
Is the choice difficult to make because I have not sought guidance? So what I mean by this is; am I feeling pushed, shoved, or confused, and what is the urgency behind the decision. It says, “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace”- 1 Corinthians 14:33. My interpretation of this scripture is that He is not going to rough me up mentally about making a decision. That’s just not who He is. He walks with you, holds your hand, guides you…all with love.
Coming to the realization that I have made some bad choices because I neglected my two steps (perhaps to escape accountability if I made the wrong decision), and that I was not trusting in God enough to take risks. Yup, the awful truth is, taking risks is about trusting. Not in ourselves, but in Him and Him alone! The author we cannot see, the creator, the glorious; He who is within us, completes us.
I was watching television the other day and a young lady was on a popular show, discussing how she came from nothing and how some of the issues she is facing in life are a result of that lifestyle/upbringing. She further went on to explain why she did not further herself in certain areas (school, career, relationships and etc.), and why it was more practical to stay where she was until something else turned itself around in her life.
What struck me was her ability to point out the issues, see the areas she wanted to make changes in,and still doubt her ability to attack the problem. All of this was dependent on her wanting to see a turnaround in another area of need in her life. I can relate. I’ve made that same assumption about making moves in my own life. Especially career decisions. A lot of the excuses I made for not pursuing for my dream jobs were because I did not feel I had the educational credentials to go for it. Then the next excuse was it was too far. Some other excuses I made were that I wouldn’t have free time for my personal life, the list grew and grew.
Basically for every good choice that I could have made, I limited my growth because I created an invisible box to dwell within that had to have just the right temperature and settings for me to thrive in. That’s crazy. Simply remaining in one spot our entire lives without any change occurring is impossible. I mean, yes you can live and dwell in your hometown, but eventually you’re going to have to move about. Change routines, meet new people, try something new. But, are we as open to more risky changes, than those slight changes? Probably not, and that is where the paradigm shift needs to change. It just does!
Not for one second would I say taking more risks is comfortable, but let’s paint a picture worth seeing for a moment. What if the young lady I mentioned would take what she already had, and expanded on it? What if she sacrificed more time? Drove a little further, sacrifice enjoying the extras for a little while to build wealth? What if? What if she said, “You know what, God you already know where I come from and what I am capable of—but better yet, I know to whom I belong and what you are capable of is greater than me!”.
He’s not planting these “ways out”, gifts, blessings, lessons in our lives without direction. We are capable of taking the risks, but why aren’t we? Well that’s something we should ask ourselves when confronted with our next decision. We can trust Him and His plans are for your good, not to harm you. So take a risk. You want to find out what it feels like to do what you love, try it; put forth the effort to experience laughter, love, pleasure, success, failure. All of it is worth the risk because your life’s blessings depend on it and trusting God will assure the rest.
