Risk!

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

“If you’re not uncomfortable, you’re not growing” Unknown

The absolute truth in my life is I’ve learned more from my failures than my successes. Comfortable? No. Apologies needed? Many times. Embarrassed? More times than I can count. Humbled? Pass the humble pie, please. Shamed? Yes, but that must be removed. That’s the enemy disguised as a parent, colleague, judgmental person or our own voice.  

I love the Seth Godin quote, “Anxiety is experiencing failure in advance.” Or should I say I love and hate the quote because it’s so true in my life. I grasp, cling and grab onto my ideas of how things should be, how things should turn out, how it will fix me and my life. When I have the spiritual maturity to “Let Go and Let God,” things turn out much differently than I expect. Many times, delightfully so. Surprisingly so. And not my idea. And that angst, anxiety, embarrassment is chopped down to size. My efforts matter in his plan, but God determines the outcome. It’s always better than I imagine and with real humility. Who’s in charge?

Musings

Am I operating out of fear or love? It’s one or the other.  When I risk, am I running toward something or away. As an adolescent I ran away from home but not toward anything good. It was worse, actually. Then I ran toward a high school counselor and a group of kids that were struggling with home issues too.

God is love. Enemy is fear. Am I running toward him? Doing the best I can letting him have the outcome?

Prayer

Father,

Thank you that we have a part in your plan. It starts with one step as we hold your hand. You love us so completely that we can risk. You love us so completely that you take charge of the outcome.  Help us to operate in love. Help us to run toward you instead of running away. Help us to risk as we remember we can trust the man who died for us: your son.

Amen.