Risk-takers

This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.

We’d invited our friends over for dinner. While we enjoyed pizza and chicken shawarma, we updated each other on our lives—jobs and work, dreams and school. As our kids cavorted around us, our friends explained a new business venture they planned to launch in the coming months.

I watched as the husband’s face lit up, excitement brewing for all that was ahead. I sat in awe as his wife nodded and smiled, seemingly unworried about this exciting but unknown future.

I thought of all the questions that would have swirled in my mind but were not bothering them in the least. Do we have enough money to start this? How much time will it take? Will we make enough money to live?

They had a plan that was well thought out and organized. But even so, all I could see were the risks involved. After we hugged goodbye a little while later with promises to help in any way that we could, I looked at my husband. “They have a lot of courage,” I said after closing the door behind them.

As we continued to discuss their new venture, we realized our friends had been through a lot in their young lives. They had moved to the United States from a war-torn country within the last five years, leaving everything and everyone familiar to them, to come to a safe place here. They’ve lost far more than I have ever known, and because of it, they’re willing to step out and try new things. What seems risky to me does not appear that way to my friends. Their example is one I’d love to follow.

Scripture tells us over and over again to be strong and courageous. That God is with us and will go before us. And because of it, we don’t need to fear. We can step out in faith into all the places he calls us to go. It can be too easy for many of us to live a life of comfort and safety, but I’m so grateful that God would invite us to be risk-takers and pursue all the dreams he’s given to us.

Kendra

Today’s Act of Gratitude

Is there something you’ve been dreaming of pursuing but haven’t yet? Step out of your comfort zone and take the first step toward it. Express your thanks to God for being with you as you take the risk.