Life is full of risks, and missing the opportunity to take some -- probably even most -- of them could lead to much regret in the end. What does God say about risk and how does He exemplify for us how to deal with and respond to risks?
You have probably heard of the famous story in the Bible where Jesus starts walking from the shore to the disciples while striding on the surface of the sea. He then calls out to Peter to do the same (Matthew 14:29), but as the disciple does so he is overcome by the risks and then later starts to sink.
What kind of risks are you facing today? A new job opportunity, business venture, a relationship that could possibly turn into marriage or a cross-country move to go to a promising university? God calls us at many times to risky situations because He desires that we step out in faith.
Faith cannot and will not exist without a little bit of risk, or if it did, we wouldn't really be able to measure and grow it. God designs situations in our life that make us feel unsure so that we may look to God as our true source of guidance and strength.
Proverbs 3:5 says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding." What could be a more fitting picture of risk?
However, it is also important to remember that as we face risks, God also urges us to practice a leveled amount of wisdom to balance things out for us. Blind faith is not just risky. It's also uncalled for. Proverbs 11:14 reminds us, "For lack of guidance a nation falls, but victory is won through many advisers."
But nonetheless, risks are inevitable and have become a very vital part of our lives. It is through risk-taking that we exercise our faith in a God who cancels out all risks and makes all things work together for the good of those who love Him.
If for anything, let us learn how God Himself took the risk of trusting in us and giving us His very life even though it meant dying an excruciating and humiliating death. We are the ultimate risk, but Jesus took it anyway because to Him we would be worth it. In the same way, He calls us to put our faith in Him just as He has put His faith in us.
And God is more trustworthy than we will ever be! Sure, risk can be daunting, even paralyzing, but as long as we are assured that it is God's perfect will for us and we know it will honor Him, God has our backs and He will turn great trials and risks into wonderful rewards.
