Understanding what’s important and what isn’tToo much comfort is lethal! The Bible is full of God calling ordinary people to go on adventures. There’s a pattern 1. The Call God calls and the call is not easy. Hebrews 11 is devoted to God’s high risk call. Noah. Abraham. Joseph. Moses And there’s more! Hebrews 11: 32-38 God doesn’t appear to be terribly interested in making sure we’re comfortable does He? 2. Response: Almost always the response is one of fear. Christians too often say that God will never give us more than we can handle. It’s a misquote from 1 Corinthians 10: 13 Look around the world.
All the time people are given burdens they can’t handle! 3. Reassurance: God knows people are fearful so He reassures them. Joshua 1: 9 Judges 6: 16 Luke 1: 28 Does this mean nothing bad will happen? No, God’s promise is that nothing can separate you from His love. Romans 8: 38-39 4. Decision: When God calls you and I to do something, we feel inadequate. That’s because we are, and that’s why God promises to be with us. The real issue is your decision. Only people who say Yes to God’s challenge, demand and risk are ever fully alive 5. Changed life: Every time someone says Yes to God the world changes a bit. Acts 4: 18-20 Every time someone says No to God there’s a change too. Your heart gets a little harder. Your spirit dies a little, and your desire for comfort gets a little stronger. N.B. It’s not the size of the risk that counts! Some people are predisposed to be Risk Takers. They have a lot of GABA. Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid Some people are predisposed to be risk avoiders. They have low levels of GABA. God knows all about you. The goal is to take what counts as a risk for you, starting where you are. Most Christians want to be people of faith but equally would prefer a guarantee up front. But God doesn’t work this way. Joshua 3: 13 If you opt for comfort then your spirit will shrivel up and you’ll miss God’s best. |