A survey was conducted that asked a group of 95 year old citizens what they would do differently if they could live their lives over. The number one response was, "If we could do it over again, we would take more risks." The Bible is filled with risk takers. Abraham was a risk taker who knew the voice of God and he walked by faith.
God spoke to Abraham and said, "Leave your country, your people, your father's household and go to a land I will show you."
Can you imagine being in a situation where God calls you to pack up the U-Haul, load up your family and get on the road? Then, when you are on the road, He will show you the way to go. What an enormous challenge!
The scriptures tell us Abraham's faith in God enabled him to obey this challenging summons. Abraham was called to abandon everything that was familiar and secure. He traveled a road not even knowing where he was headed. He was a risk taker who walked by faith with complete trust in God.
How deep is your commitment to Christ? Are you in a place where you can hear His voice? If He called you to abandon your career plans, leave everything that is familiar, get out of your comfort zone and follow Him, what would be your response? Would you be willing to take the risk and walk by faith?
So often we hesitate and we miss His will because we cannot trust the Lord to provide for our needs. We like the security of the known, the comfortable and the familiar. We want to know why, where, when, how and the end result.
I am not suggesting that you foolishly and recklessly move out without clearly hearing the call of almighty God. However, when God calls it's not a suggestion or something for our consideration. When we hear the voice of God, we must respond obediently by faith.
If faith doesn't involve some risk, it's not faith. If faith can see every step of the way, it's not faith. One has to wonder if some who will read this article started out with a total abandonment to God. You were willing to go any place at any time to do what God was asking you to do. You might not have known how, but you stepped out by faith and took the risk.
Today, you have settled in and decided to play it safe. You have lost your desire to be an adventurer with God. How sad!
Abraham was 75 years old when God told him He would make him into a great nation. His wife, Sarah, was barren and 65 years old. It wasn't until 25 years later when he was 100 and Sarah 90 that God opened her womb and blessed them with a son, Isaac. It seemed impossible, but it happened. If we will take God at His word and stand on His promises, He will not fail.
If we will mind God, all of His promises are available to us. The Word tells us that heaven and earth may pass away but His words are eternal. If you will mind God, He will bless you and make you a blessing. He will never leave you nor forsake you. His grace will always be sufficient. He has promised to go before us, bring the high places low and make the crooked places straight.
God has something special for every one of us in this New Year. Will you take the risk? Will you stand on His promises and be obedient to His call? Get out of the rut. Take the risk. Be an adventurer with God. Don't die before you are dead!
