Most of us like shiny new things of some sort: shiny new cars, unscuffed new shoes, crisp new dollar bills, and cool, new clothes.
Yet when it comes to shiny new experiences, often we go meh no thanks.
What is up with that?
We don’t like the thought of blind dates (more often true of introverts and those who have experienced bad dates). Trying on a new color or style of clothing feels strange at first. It’s even a bit much for some to go to a new restaurant and try a completely new category of food, even after suggestions from friends and reading the reviews.
This compulsion for structure and answers is especially a problem for strong Myers-Briggs’ J-types. J’s desperately need—even demand—structure, systems, answers, decisions, and guarantees.
I mean, I get that we have human natures that prefer to do the same things over and over. We like the comfort we find in consistency and repeated experiences.
It feels risky to try something new. On those days, risk feels like a four-letter word.
Sometimes it is risky.
We don’t like risks that much. We prefer guarantees, even though that’s pretty much a human thing and not a God thing. However, there are good things that result from taking a risk and doing something different.
If we, as followers of Christ, want to experience new things and see heaven-sized results, we’re going to have to take heaven-sized risks. Click To TweetIf we, as followers of Christ, want to experience new things and see heaven-sized results, we’re going to have to take heaven-sized risks. (It just feels like the other place right after you make that decision.)
No characters in the Bible ever did God’s will without taking a risk. Ever think about that?
Abel had to sacrifice one of his animals while Cain talked about harvesting crops for an offering. He must have sensed the hostility in Cain’s voice while he was telling him how God had rejected his offering.
Abel’s doing what God had demonstrated to his parents was a risk he had to take, and it led to his death.
(God never promised us a good, comfortable, happy, wealthy, and easy life if we follow the Ten Commandments and go to church like good little girls and boys. Ask John the Baptist.)
Ruth took a risk marrying a foreign boy named Mahlon (whose name meant “invalid” or “sickly” in Hebrew). When her husband died, she took an even greater risk to leave her family and follow her mother-in-law back to Israel, where she would be the foreigner.
Following God led to her being in the lineage of Israel’s greatest king, David, and ultimately, the son of David, Jesus.
Barnabas took a risk in befriending the newly converted Saul, the former persecutor of the church, when no one else would receive him. He didn’t know that his new associate would end up evangelizing all over the kingdom of Rome and writing over a quarter (28%) of the New Testament.
Barnabas was simply obeying the Word of God and demonstrating the character of God in extending a welcome and standing up for him.
New.
Why are we scared of the new?
What is the worst that could happen? You not liking the food? Somebody telling you no?
Just don’t eat that food again. Ask someone else. Try something different that’s new. That’s it.
Life is too short to stay stuck in a rut in any category. Sometimes the risk and sacrifice are worth the results. Click To TweetIt’s not that bad to do or try something new, you guys. Life is too short to stay stuck in a rut in any category. Sometimes the risk and sacrifice are worth the results.
Now I’m thinking of people who start new businesses. They have to craft business plans, sometimes acquire loans, and put all their time and money into that new business. If they survive and thrive in their first two years, they have a chance to grow.
Taking a risk causes our capacity for more faith to grow. And it fills and beautifies our lives.
Think of how our lives would be if Jesus refused to leave the comfort of heaven and the worship of angels to come down to earth to die for our sins. He purchased our salvation at the price of inconvenience and pain.
The epilogue is that Jesus despised the shame of the whole ordeal, not just the crucifixion itself. The joy of heaven pressed Him all the way to death and to glory (Hebrews 12:1–2).
If Jesus was willing to take a risk for the kingdom of God, and He is our example, we can take risks for the kingdom of God.
Spend your lunch at work reading your Bible and praying. Even if that’s a risk because your coworkers will target you for mocking or harassment, it’s worth spending time with Him.
Dude, pray whether it’s God’s will for you to marry someone and take a risk. Ask her out already.
Have you been thinking of starting a new business or ministry? It might be the prompting of the Holy Spirit for you to do this. Watch and pray, learn and do.
My friends, we have no time to lose. We can’t afford to sit around obsessing about our own comfort and ignoring the decisions He has called us to make.
The spontaneous, the carefree, the impulsive can’t take all the risks. The rest of us need to get on board with God’s program. We must learn to see risks and take risks His way for our personalities.
Know that, no matter what your personality type is, He wants to blow your mind and do things that will bring Him glory. He often does this by calling us to exercise our faith and take that step of faith. Click To TweetKnow that, no matter what your personality type is, He wants to blow your mind and do things that will bring Him glory. He often does this by calling us to exercise our faith and take that step of faith.
Hebrews 11 isn’t called the Hall of Faith for nothing. Each person in that chapter had to take a risk and exercise their faith. Let’s follow them and do the great exploits we were made to do (Daniel 11:32b)!
