What does the word risk mean to you? Does it mean jumping off a bridge attached to a cord? What about buying a ticket at an airport to anywhere in the world? Or we could go to another extreme and say go cage diving with Great White sharks?
These are the type of ideas that may come to mind when you think of the word risk. There are several ways to define the word risk which include an uncertain situation, a situation where you do not know the outcome, and/or being pushed out of your comfort zone. The activities listed above would be defined as “risky” in my book and things that I may never do in this lifetime. This then leads to the thought of what place does risk have in my life?
Being on an 11 month missionary journey around the world could very easily be defined as a risk. The World Race may have started out that way but as the months keep coming, this lifestyle is becoming a norm and not quite as exciting as one may think. Yes, I am living life with the locals here in Botswana but I don’t have an adventurous day, every day! Rather there are days like today that I simply sand some wood and write a blog because it’s raining outside. It is hard at times to find the excitement and joy in what we are doing because this has become so normal for us. Changing countries each month does not nearly have the same thrill as it did in the beginning of the race.
These feelings and thoughts soon led to me feeling stuck and becoming numb to what the Lord was showing me each day. Imagine sitting in a hole where there is a light above you but literally have no idea how to climb your way out. Through my growth and desire for a more powerful prayer life I started to discover that the Lord wanted me to pray for risk. Wait….really Lord? Risk? He kept leading me to pray for risk in my life in HIS holy name. I had no idea what this looked liked but I thought why not?
I had a certain idea in my head of what risk in His name would look like. I thought preaching a sermon, going door to door to share the gospel or simply talking in front of a large group of people. The reason I thought those things was because I associated the word risk with fear. I honestly have a fear of doing the things listed but I am learning that my Father would not force me into anything that He has not equipped me for. Not that I will never do those things but He will give me a heart to glorify Him in that way. He will lead me to risk through doing things that I am passionate about and will grow His kingdom and this is what happened this past Sunday.
Our hosts here in Botswana are involved in a local village church which we attend each Sunday that we are here. There is time for children’s church each Sunday for an hour that our host April usually leads. Well, with having one team from the World Race and one team from YWAM here at the same time, life can get a bit hectic to say the least. With that being the case she asked for help to lead the chidlren’s church. Before I knew what was coming out of my mouth I agreeded! I mean this is what I studied for in college right? But little did I realize that I have been running from this calling the Lord has placed on my heart for the church and children which usually leads to the idea of a children’s pastor….anyway letting my thoughts get away from me. Back to the main story.
Sunday morning comes and I am somewhat trying to prepare for chidlren’s church. I try not to hold onto what I am planning because you just never know what will happen on the race. There was a chance that I would not even teach but I thought I should have something in my back pocket. With the help of several of my team mates we open with a few songs and then April turns to us and say “Ok, who is teaching?”. All eyes turn towards me and I simply pray that all my words would glorify my Father and that I will depend solely on Him. Before I knew what was happening, I had my bible in hand and had the kids moving dirt around in their hands to demonstrate how God created Adam from the earth. I had each of them grab a leaf and hold onto it while they closed their eyes to imagine what life could have been like in the Garden of Eden. This then led to me picking up a stick to describe how God took a rib from Adam to create Eve. I believe that God wanted me speak into how no matter where we are on earth or what color our skin is, He creates each of us so uniquely and lovingly. It is an amazing gift to think of how God created each of them and He CHOSE them. I did not have a fancy projector or a lesson plan that we buy on a monthly basis Because we readily have those things avaiable in the states. Yes those things may be helpful tools but there are times when we need to get down to the basics and remember how and why God created us.
This is what risk looked like for me this past Sunday. I had no idea what the outcome would look like. I was uncertain of what others would think. I was pushed out of my comfort zone of leading without being fully prepared or what I think being prepared looks like. Despite all of those thoughts and worries, I stepped out in FAITH and took a risk in His name. I am so thankful for the opportunity that He gave me and I will continue to pray for risk. There is growth in risk.
“Having faith often means doing what others see as crazy. Something is wrong when our lives make sense to unbelievers.” Francis Chan
How can you redefine risk in your life? How can you step out in faith? I don’t want this to simply be a passing thought but rather really pray and think about it. This is not just a one day thing but rather a way that you can connect on a deeper level with our Heavenly Father. You might be surprised on where He will lead you!
“If we allow ourselves to live recklessly for Him, then we, too, will see His glory. We will see Him do the impossible.” Francis Chan
