Manna Monday | take a risk

You ever think about taking risks? Like, should I should I do this endeavor? Should I make this business move? Should I make this financial move? Should I buy this house?

Should I trust this person with my health? Or just the idea of taking risks can sometimes be daunting. I think a lot of us like to live comfortably. If things are going well, don't shake the boat, don't rock the boat, right? If it's not broke, don't fix it.

These are things that we inherently just kind of subscribe to. When we live a life of discomfort, it's challenging. But when we're challenged is when we actually grow. And when we intuitively take risks, and intentionally take risks, I believe, is where we can grow the most. This week, let's take risks.

Now, there's calculated risks, obviously, but I'm gonna just give you the framework of why biblically we should take risks, and why even from a neurological standpoint, we should be taking risks. Risks, taking risks, it I truly believe deepens our trust in God. One of my favorite scriptures in regards to this is Proverbs 28:1. The righteous are as bold as a lion. It's it takes a level of boldness to take a risk.

Risk deepens your trust in God. You learn to not lean on your own, Proverbs 3:5-6, not lean on your own understanding, but trust in the Lord and lean on his ways, and He'll direct your paths. It really does. It stretches your soul to rely on God's sufficiency over your sufficiency. So, when you take a risk, when you step out of the boat, it's where we can see God's grace and God's unmerited favor over our life take over.

But it requires us to take a step on the water. It requires us to get out of the boat. I believe it unleashes the calling and growth of your life. I think risks opens up the door to spiritual gifts and leadership and boldness and discovers really your God given assignment and purpose. I don't believe you could fulfill the purpose of God in your life if you don't take risks and be challenged and hey, maybe it's evangelists, maybe it's communicating the Gospel of Jesus to a friend, to a family member, to someone who's, you know, out there in just the public.

That's taking a risk. Taking a risk refines our character and our faith. James 1:3, "The testing of your faith produces perseverance." Taking risk matures the soul. It truly does.

It nourishes and matures the soul. There's some really cool, just brain components to it, and the more we take risks, the easier risk taking becomes. Let me say that again. The more we take risks, the easier risk taking becomes. There's a reality of what we call neuroplastic activation, where when you take risks, your brain literally goes into a growth mindset, and you search out, and you seek out other calculated risks to take.

It becomes easier. When you grow the muscle of risk taking, that muscle gets larger and bigger, and it becomes easier to perform the next rep, the next set, the next exercise. When we think about risk taking, I just want you to this week ponder, what am I the most comfortable in? Where am I the most comfortable in this season of life? Maybe it's your health, maybe it's a relationship, maybe it's your finances, maybe it's in business, maybe it's in your job or career.

Where are you the most comfortable? And just kind of sit with that, and ask the Lord, what's next for me in this area? Okay, Lord, I submit to you that I've grown comfort comfortable in this area of my life, but I choose to take risks. I choose to step out of the boat in this area of my life. So Lord, would you lead me?

Proverbs 3:5-6. As I trust in you, would you lead me? Would you direct me? And would you give me vision, and would you give me understanding and wisdom on how to take risks? Not for just your good, but for His glory.

Inevitably, it's all for God's glory. You take risks for His glory. You take risks to mature as a believer and mature your soul. You take risks to impact people. You take risks to lead people and to grow in your boldness.

That's why we are risk takers. If you stay comfortable, you will die comfortable. You'll you will grow in your discomfort. Get uncomfortable this week. Take risks.

Seek out opportunities to get uncomfortable, so that you can grow as a human being, and truly transform this world. We have the calling to bring God's kingdom to this earth. It requires risk takers. Question is, this week, ask yourself every day you wake up, am I going to be a risk taker today?