Are You A Risk Taker?

As we continue to further examine William Carey’s quote, “expect great things from God…attempt great things for God,” we must consider taking risks as part of this challenge. Attempting great things does bring with it the element of taking risks. As a follower of Christ, we have the opportunity to seek the Lord for guidance and direction. There are generally two groups of people when it comes to seeking the Lord’s guidance and direction. One group will say, “I’m not moving until the Lord says move.” The other group moves in a direction in faith trusting the Lord to guide their steps. Some need to see the whole picture before they move, and others want to sense the Holy Spirit leading in a direction and move in that direction until the Lord closes a door. Wherever you land on this spectrum, please know that both groups are needed to advance the Kingdom of God. Not every great leader has waited for the full picture, and not every great leader has chosen the more adventuresome approach to following God. Some will attempt great things for God after their expectations from God being met. Still others push the envelope expecting great things from God with every step. This can also tie into what level of faith you have. I have known people who got saved and ran around with their hair on fire for the Lord. Some continued to be like that for decades. Some have realized that they need a less fiery approach.

Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Acting in any kind of faith takes risks. Your personality and life experiences will cause you to take smaller or larger risks. They both require faith and our lives should be lived in expecting great things faith and attempting great things faith. Having an expectancy to faith puts the burden on the Lord and less on us. Have you ever boldly prayed, “Lord, I have done everything I can do, so if this is going to get done, it will have to be done by you!” This is a prayer of expectant faith. This is not an “when all else things fail…pray” mindset, but a mindset in the same vein of William Carey. This prayer calls for us to make sure that our heart, soul, and body are pursuing God and trust Him fully for the results. Is it a risk for you to let God take full control? I hope not!!! I pray we are a church that does everything we can and leave the results to the Lord. I would even go as far to say we take an expectant risk of saying to God that “if you don’t make this work, then it will fail.” My prayer for Shady Oaks is that we all spur one another on in laying our attempts and expectations at the foot of the cross and say, “God, blow us away with what you will do!”

Expect great things from God in faith and attempt great things for God by faith!