Faith is Risky Business

This day the Lord will hand you over to me, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. Today I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. 
1 Samuel 17:46

The word for today is RISK. 

This seems to be a theme with me for the last several months. I have been given opportunities to face fears and to take risks with flying, traveling up mountainsides, selling our home with no clear plan, and closing my shop with nothing on the horizon.


Then I read this book, "Soul Print" by Mark Batterson. And I listened to a sermon "The Establishment of the Spirit" (from fcchudson.com byPastor Timothy Porter)...both confirmed to me I'm right where God wants me to be. 


"Grace calls us into fear." That was the word from Pastor Tim.


Feeling awkward is evidence that you are doing things that require faith. That was one take-away from Soul Print.


Grace being God's power available to us, calls us into fear, fear because we know our own weakness to act, then faith is the joining factor from my fear to God's power. And it's risky.


Faith is risky business.

As I study the life of David, I have been parked in his words to the giant that had taunted the mighty wimpy soldiers of Israel. They were wimpy only because of where they placed their confidence. In themselves. 


David's bold-confident words, "This day the Lord will hand you over to me and I will strike you down and cut off your head." Those words, they strike me. I'm imagining a five year old boy saying this to a grown man to get perspective on the risk that David took. Really? How did he say with such confidence these words to an armed, intimidating giant?


It is where he placed his confidence; that confidence coming from where he placed his sights. If I look at myself and my weakness or my giant problem or feat, I shy away from risks. I fail at moving forward in faith. If I look at my God and His power and promises, I have confidence in something Unfailing, Almighty.


I'm seeking to watch my thoughts, and where they land often is on me. No wonder I feel shaky-kneed so often when God says, "go". And did David have any thoughts of himself while running toward the giant? Did his knees feel weak while running?


Seeking more grace to lift up my eyes and have them stayed on God for courage to take risks. We walk by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7 There is no pleasing God without faith. Hebrews 11:6  Faith is uncomfortable and awkward because it is risky business.  We who are called to live by faith will have to embrace awkwardness and get used to feelings of fear but never let them stop us from taking risks.

Joining Lisa for Five Minute Friday