Taking Big Risks: Walking on Water When the World is Full of Doubt
Taking big risks is a major theme throughout The Bible. So, as Christians, “walking on water” should be second nature to us. But many times, when faced with the opportunity to fully trust in Jesus, we shrink back. And we forget to keep our eyes on The One who promises to keep us safe.
God, I’m feeling kind of alone in this. I’ve listened to you. I’ve prayed to you. But, sometimes, I feel like no one understands. I’m taking some big risks. But what if I’m wrong?
Sometimes following God means doing something crazy.
In fact, it usually does… almost always, actually. It’s easy to follow God’s plan for you when God is telling you to get a new car or go on a diet. But what if God commanded you to pack up and move to Somalia? Or sell your house and move into a shack? Or, maybe, quit your job without another one lined up and wait for God to tell you what to do next?
What if God told you to share all your failures, your fears and every misstep you make on your journey to joy in a blog that could possibly read by many, or WORSE, by no one at all?
Imagine how much trust in God it takes to jump outside of your comfort zone and apply for a new job. But how much trust would you have to have if God said, “drop everything and go on a mission trip tomorrow?”
Taking big risks is part of trusting God.
This doesn’t mean everyone should quit their jobs and move across the country. God has different plans for each of us, and while one person’s might be to start an orphanage somewhere far away, another’s might be to ask a non-believer to coffee. The object isn’t to be more fearless than the next person; the idea is that the more you trust that God’s got your back no matter what, the easier it is to step off that boat and walk on water.
Taking big risks. Being strong and courageous. It’s part of God’s plan for us. But it’s also really scary.
When I quit my job, and then again when I decided to start this blog, it felt a lot like holding my breath then taking a step forward, one eye open to see what was ahead, the other shut tight in fear.
And I felt alone. Because no one understood.
“So, you don’t have a job…yet?”
“But writing a blog, isn’t that just kind of a hobby?”
“Are you planning on getting a job soon?” (That one was from my husband.)
“But you are applying places, right?
Or sometimes it’s just raised eyebrows, polite smiles and head nods.
Then the questions come full force.
“What if you’re reading God wrong?”
“What if you’re making a big mistake?”
“What if your kids don’t get into a good college because you can’t afford to sign them up for extracurricular activities?”
But those weren’t other people’s questions, they’re my own.
Because I don’t like the lonely feeling of taking big risks. And no one seems to get it, so maybe I’m doing it wrong. Then weight of my actions starts to pull me under. It’s not just my life it affects; I have a husband and three kids. And dogs. That’s eight total living things in my house. And living things need to eat and drink and most of them need to wear clothes.
But then I read. And I pray. And God tells me, over and over.
“I am with you.”
“Do not fear.”
“Trust in me with all your heart.”
“If you have the faith of a mustard seed, you can move mountains.”
“Have confidence in what you do not see.”
God doesn’t want me to simply trust Him. He wants me to depend on Him. He wants me to do things that are not possible without Him.
“Therefore, you will know that I am God.”
When you are at your lowest, when the only way you can make it to the next day is with God’s promises, that’s when God can do the most within you.
God wants you to take a step and walk on water.
So, my prayers have changed from “What do I do, God?” and “Am I doing it wrong?” To “Thanks, God. I can’t wait to see what happens next.”
And God’s response?
“Just watch me.”
Do you feel like God is telling you to take big chances in your life? Is it hard for you to do? In what ways can I pray for you to take the next step in your life?
Let me know in the comments!
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