Risk It!!

Wednesday's Walk

I have been a student of Encounter School of Ministry for the past three years and am getting close to my completion date. Today was my third-to-last class and the topic was being a risk taker.

To give you a little background the mission of Encounter is through the richness of our Catholic heritage to teach, equip, and activate disciples to demonstrate the love of God through the power of the Holy Spirit in their spheres of influence.

What I have discovered is that none of this happens without taking risks!

So as I near the end of THREE YEARS of classes, imagine my dismay when confronted with analyzing my comfort with risk-taking and realized that I am often a downright chicken!

Maybe it would be good to define what they consider a “risk taker”. A risk taker is someone who regularly takes risks to make Jesus known to others in the world around them.

So with that definition in mind, I want to share a few lessons from class on how to become a “risk taker” for Jesus.

“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?” Luke 6:46

Tip #1 Listen for the promptings of the Holy Spirit and then be obedient and ACT!

I can’t tell you how many times I have felt prompted to do something and either ignored it, convinced myself it was bad timing, or simply brushed it off.

For example, a few weeks ago I was out on a run and passed a group of Hispanic men working on the road. As I passed them, I suddenly felt prompted to tell them about the beautiful Oscar Romero celebration happening that weekend at the Cathedral.

Well, God knows that message was not coming from me naturally! I hate approaching strangers. I didn’t want to interrupt my run, and I worried they would think I was crazy.

So I kept running and told myself it was just a random thought.

About two houses later, another thought popped into my head:

Turn around. It’s not too late.

Instead, I responded internally:
“Oh God… You can’t really want me to do that. If You really do, let me pass them tomorrow and then I’ll do it.”

Honestly, I’m pretty sure I still would have found a way out of it.

At the end of the day, I wasn’t willing to risk looking foolish. I was simply too embarrassed.

But later that week, I jumped on my Encounter call and heard testimony after testimony from people who did take those risks—and how God showed up every time, bringing fruit through those encounters.

What if one of those men needed to be at that event?
What if hearing that message would have reconnected him to the faith of his childhood?

I may never know what could have happened. But what I do know is this:

Because I did nothing… nothing happened.

Risk taking is actually only intentional obedience!

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. 2 Timothy 1:7

Tip #2 You will never school yourself out of fear.

I think I secretly believed that if I just took enough classes and listened to enough teachings, eventually I would stop being afraid.

But the truth is, you cannot educate yourself out of fear.

Doing uncomfortable things only becomes easier through practice—and honestly, you may never stop feeling nervous.

I should have already known that!

Every time I host an event, I still get nervous speaking in front of people. In the beginning, my voice shook, my hands shook, and I was a complete bundle of nerves.

I still get nervous. But with practice, I’ve learned to manage the shaking… most of the time.

If I am going to become a risk taker for Jesus, I cannot wait for fear to disappear before I move.

It may never leave.

You can’t wait for fear to leave before you move.

“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.”

Tip #3: Don’t get discouraged if God isn’t asking you to take that risk.

This one is often tied closely to pride.

Have you ever thought you would be the perfect person for a role or ministry opportunity, only to be passed over or sidelined?

Well… maybe it simply wasn’t God’s plan for you.

I find myself guilty of this often. I like my ideas. I am frequently surprised when others don’t immediately recognize how wonderful my plan is or why they absolutely need me on their team.

But am I really considering whether I have the time, gifts, or calling for that task?

Or could there be another mission God is actually asking me to focus on—one I might miss because I am so fixated on what I wanted?

I am trying to grow in my ability to let those thoughts go quickly and stop wasting energy on what I can’t do. Instead, I want to focus on the beautiful opportunities God has already placed in front of me.

Sometimes I wonder if God is gently asking:

“Are you not satisfied with the way I have chosen to use you?”

I hope you will take a few moments to reflect—or maybe even journal—about the risks God may be asking you to take and what steps you may need to activate becoming a risk taker for Jesus in your own life.

If you are interested in learning more about Encounter School of Ministry, visit:
Encounter School of Ministry

Or check out their conference this fall:
Encounter Conference

And if you are from the Diocese of Jefferson City, you can even join our caravan to the conference—just message me for details!

But even if that is not possible for you right now, try to find one small way to challenge yourself to:

Risk It!

I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments.