Risk: “It’s Only Fear”
I specifically asked God a while back to help me to take risks this year. Not more risks, but risks in general.
I think I’ve really only taken three in my entire life.
Pathetic.
A new risk was added a few weeks ago. In the time I’ve had to reflect, I can honestly say that I’m both surprised and glad that I took the risk.
Years ago I would have dismissed the idea before even considering it.
Thankfully, things can change for someone like me.
And you, too.
A friend of mine, who I’m connected with at work, shared a great story with me just over a year ago. He is very involved with youth ministry, and one example is a camp in Northern Arizona for kids with disabilities. He told me the story of a boy who was severely handicapped, and how one part of the camp allowed for these kids to participate in a special ropes course, with a zip-line at the end. These guys and girls can participate in this course without the reminder of the disability that so often holds them back from “normal” activities.
The course started out with a series of platforms that you had to step off of and make your way to the next one via the ropes. Before stepping off of the platform, this young man would freeze with fear. You know – legs shaking, teeth chattering, the works. The leaders would ask him, “do you want to come down?” ”You don’t have to go any farther than you want.” Eventually, he would take the step off the platform and make his way to the next, only to be overcome by fear again. The leaders asked the same questions every time, and after about an hour the young man made his way to the end of the course.
My friend said that he asked the boy, “why didn’t you just come down when you got scared?”
He answered, “It was only fear, that’s all.”
That’s how I want to see the risks that God asks me to take. Is it scary? Sure it is. If it’s not scary you’re either not paying attention or dead. That’s why they call it a risk and not “safe”. But, you and I must remember that it’s only fear that’s holding us back. That’s crippling us.
Sometimes we can’t shake it. We’re frozen. There’s seemingly no way out. But, if we look at God for who he really is and not what we’ve made him, we’ll see an awesome and powerful God who is for us…not against us. What can fear do to us when we know this? Nothing. It can only be fear. Nothing more, nothing less.
He’s already overcome it.
Trusting that he did? Now that’s a risk right there…









