This whole living by faith thing is risky. And that shouldn’t surprise me. I mean, the Bible is all about people living by faith as they’re called to do extraordinary, and oftentimes ridiculous, things. Like building a giant ark for your family, and two of each animal in existence. Or leading a whole nation out of captivity to a land flowing with milk and honey, but not before crossing rivers and wandering in the wilderness and drinking water coming out of rocks. Or giving up your family and livelihood because some man is hollering at you to drop your nets and come follow him so that you can become fishers of men, not just fishermen. It all sounds so crazy, doesn’t it? Yet we can so easily read about these things in the Bible, applauding these men and women for their courage (or insanity) and continue living our safe, comfortable lives. But there’s something stirring inside me that has a hard time believing that such reckless faith only applied to back then and has since expired, sparing us today from having to fight giants like Goliath or spend the night in a den full of lions.
Yet life of faith without risk is like an Oreo without the cream filling – something so essential is missing.
God’s been speaking to me a lot about risk in this season of squad leading. Every day I feel in over my head yet trusting that just as He was with Moses, so He is with me. Learning to walk in the confidence of His Spirit inside me. Speaking what He speaks. Doing what He tells me to do. Even when it sounds absurd or too big for me. Its worth the risk. Because no matter what, my Daddy is always with me. Though I may fail, His love never will. So my hope rests in Him, not in my ability or understanding. Because if I want Him to show up in my life, aweing me with astounding things, I need to position myself for Him to do so. I have to take risks. Its exciting, no doubt, but some moments can be terrifying. Which leads me to my next point. Now, let me say this, I wasn’t planning on even thinking about whats after squad leading until I got home, but who can stop the Big Man from doing what He wants. And it kind of makes sense, as He’s currently teaching me about risk. He’s now also calling me to step out in it. But I’ll just cut to the chase.
I’m praying about moving to Chiang Mai, Thailand to work with Lighthouse in Action, the ministry I worked with on my Race.
This is craziness. Yet just being able to pray about it is unbelievably exciting. I would probably commit to about three years, which would be awesome! But I would have to raise support for those three years. Oh jeez. There it is. That’s the risky business. To be honest, that is daunting to me. Yet what I perceive as risky and overwhelming, God sees as a piece of cake. Money is nothing for Him. So I’m learning to trust His calling and provision over pansy mind. I’m praying about it. And I guess I’m asking you to pray with me. But I don’t want this to just be about me. Pray about what risky faith business might look like for you. Yes, it may seem terrifying, but Jesus is so in it, so how can it not be good? I’m convinced its in that place that we come most alive. Like Peter stepping out of the boat to walk on the water with Jesus. Its entering into a whole new experience with the Father.
So I'm just asking the Lord about all this and letting Him have His way. Who knows what will happen! I’d be honored if you’d join me on this journey of prayer with me. Feel free to share any words or insight!!
With love from Guatemala.
Carls
