One big thing we can all learn is that God is a risk taker. We are going to have to trust the Lord, and that means being willing to take a risk and move out of our comfort zones.

There’s always a temptation to play it safe and just maintain what we have. But to succeed in life, you have to risk possible failure.

In the gospel of Luke, there’s a great example of the risk involved in trusting God.

Now it came to pass on a certain day, that he went into a ship with his disciples: and he said unto them, Let us go over unto the other side of the lake. And they launched forth. But as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy. And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm. Luke 8:22-24 (KJV)

Jesus and His disciples were having great success, preaching and ministering in the cities and villages of Galilee. So when Jesus said, “Let’s go to the other side,” His disciples might have thought ‘Don’t rock the boat, Jesus. We’ve got it made. Why do you want to go to another place?’ But they trusted Jesus, and were willing to take the risk.

As we move on with Jesus, let’s go for it! Why? Because the regret of doing nothing is more painful than trying and failing. Everything worthwhile in life is a risk.

• • To laugh is to risk appearing a fool.
  • To cry is to risk appearing sentimental.
  • To reach out for another is to risk involvement.
  • To expose feelings is to risk rejection.
  • To place your dreams before a crowd is to risk ridicule.
  • To love is to risk not being loved in return.
  • To go forward in the face of overwhelming odds is to risk failure.

The woman with issue of blood took a risk (Mark 5:25-34).

When a woman had an issue of blood, she was considered to be unclean. She was probably banished outside the city gates with all the others who were unclean or lepers.

But when she heard the words of Jesus, she was willing to take a risk.

She was willing to take the risk of leaving the leper colony and being exposed as unclean. She risked not getting to Jesus, being rejected, being ridiculed and possibly not getting healed. But she did something great and ended up healed with a testimony of great courage and faith that no one could take away from her.

The greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing at all. A person who risks nothing does nothing and has nothing of real value.

Is God asleep?

Back in Luke 8, Jesus fell asleep, and the storm came.

Taking a risk with Jesus doesn’t guarantee smooth sailing, but it does guarantee you’ll see and experience wonderful miracles.

When you take a risk with God, it may sometimes seem that He has fallen asleep, and you’re alone facing the storm and about to sink. But look at verse 23. Another translation says that the boat was filled with water, yet they did not sink. With Jesus in your boat or life, you will not sink!

When we move on with Jesus, it will always be a risk, but it is always guaranteed by the words of Jesus.

…he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. Hebrews 13:5 (KJV)

We can always trust that He will come through for us. So go for it!

To encounter means to run into or collide with the unexpected. So, a grace encounter is when we feel the furthest from God and when we least expect to experience God’s favor, but then unexpectedly run into or collide with the unearned, undeserved favor and goodness of God!

Blessings,

Arthur Meintjes