My recently published children’s illustrated book was launched Sunday 14th August 2022.
$20 (+post). To purchase please contact me [email protected]
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I could equally have titled this thought “Embracing Risk”. When I was much younger and way more foolish I did several risky things, not thinking about what would happen if things went horribly wrong. Praise God I’m still alive with only a few scars to show.
Now that I’m older and presumably much wiser I tend to consider the risk before engaging in a venture or action, and I use safety glasses more often. My point is this – when the course of action before us tends to scare the pants off us, we must not allow fear or risk aversion to disqualify us from God’s best.
My advice is – list the worst things that can happen, and plan beforehand how to deal with those outcomes if they happen. Fear can be a floating thing, but when we isolate what we’re actually afraid of then we can rationally deal with possible outcomes. In order for us to grow into the image of Christ, God will always put before us a task that seems too big for us. And when we ask ourselves “what’s the worst that can happen?” and then mentally deal with that before it happens, then we can obediently move forward – in a sense “running into the possibility of failure”. If we get it wrong, then we’re already prepared for the worst outcomes. But the reality is that God will lead us and be with us and the failures whose very thought can cripple us before we start probably won’t actually happen. Wise counsel, preparedness, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit will see us through.
Imagine how the disciples felt when Jesus said to them “ok guys, I’m leaving but I want you to go into the whole world and do everything that I did.” I suspect they would have had to work through a number of issues.
Many of you will know of Ian Grant, notable preacher and tv presenter, who together with his wife Mary equipped many through family and teen challenges. Ian was the stuttering sound guy – a technical guy in the background. But there was a need and he was asked to speak. He didn’t exactly sprint to the podium but he certainly had to face up to the probability of making an absolute fool of himself in front of a crowd because of his speech impediment. However God came through and, despite a persistent stutter, he began his public speaking career.
We live in days when God is raising up a victorious bride. It’s challenging. When it’s no longer I that live but Christ who lives in me then I’d rather be obedient – with the possibility of failure – than miss God’s best for me and for those He’s called me to influence.