Risk
To laugh is to risk appearing a fool.
To weep is to risk appearing sentimental.
To reach out for another is to risk involvement.
To expose your feelings is to risk exposing your true self.
To place your ideal, your dreams before a crowd is to risk their loss.
To love is to risk not being loved in return.
To live is to risk dying.
To hope is to risk despair.
To try is to risk failure.
Yet risks must be taken;
Because, the greatest hazard in life is risking NOTHING.
The person who risks nothing
Does nothing... Has nothing... Is nothing
Self-realization is harder than Self Sacrifice
~ Author unknown
Commentary
by Giselle Aguiar
I like to think of risk as a leap of faith. I’ve taken a few of those in my lifetime. Sometimes it turned out fine sometimes, there was a little struggle involved. I wrote about having no regrets after making certain life-changing decisions, but some of those decisions, however life-changing, required little or no risk.
Since I became a committed Christian, I pray to God before making a big decision or taking a risk. I simply say, “God I need some direction in this….” And then I stay silent. I become aware of thoughts, things I hear or see, what people I trust say to me and especially urges and instinct.
If you put your trust in the Lord and trust that He’ll guide you where He wants you to go, then when that idea comes to mind or your instinct is telling you it’s the right thing to do, stop one more time to ask, “Lord, is this really what you want me to do?”
If you still have that urge, then it’s the right thing.
Be aware, that Satan is always trying to steer you in the wrong direction. Whether it’s through an offer that seems too good to be true or the “carrot stick” of power and money, you’ve got to make sure that it’s not Satan. The risk then may be too great.
Discernment
How do you discern if the message is coming from God or from Satan? It’s not as simple as the angel and the devil on either of your shoulders whispering in your ears. We know to follow the angel’s advice, but end up following the devil’s temptation because it’s too good to pass up.
Talk to your Christian friends or pastor before making a risky life-changing decision. I did that recently and my friend made me see a side of the issue that I had not seen at all. Sometimes we are blinded by the issue itself and need that objective voice to open our eyes to what we’re missing.
If you are sure that you are following God’s will for your life, then by all means, take the leap of faith. The rewards may be greater than the risk!
If you want to be able to hear what God's will for your life is, you need to have a relationship with Him and His Son, Jesus. Pray this prayer wholeheartedly to receive Christ into your life:
"Lord Jesus, I need You. Thank You for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life and receive You as my Savior and Lord. Thank you for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Take control of the throne of my life. Make me the kind of person You want me to be. In Jesus Name I pray. Amen."
If you received Jesus into your heart, welcome to the family of God! The following will help you deepen your relationship with Christ:
- Pray. Just talk to God no matter where you are. He doesn’t care what the words are, just that they are sincere.
- Read the Bible everyday to learn about Jesus and how to live that pleases God. Start with 1 John, then the Gospel of John, the Philippians.
- An important part of helping your relationship with Christ grow is to tell others about Him. Demonstrate God’s love and be active in telling others about Jesus.
- Find a bible-based church and become active getting to know other Christians. Find one with a singles ministry or groups for people your age.
Many have groups for different interests. Shop around, but commit yourself to finding one and joining a church family.
(Read the Benefits of a Church Family).