Without risk, without stepping into the unknown, there is no need for faith.  Being comfortable allows dependence on ourselves, but putting aside our fear, taking a leap into the passionate side of our heart, brings us to utter dependence on Christ Jesus “the author and finisher of our faith.”  I was being called to drop my fear of the known and risk the “what ifs” to find more of God.  I was being called to live my faith like a verb, not like a noun.

Should I?  Shouldn’t I?  Yes, I’m gonna do it.  No, I can’t.  Over and over, these conversations echoed in my head throughout the past year.  As my passion faded in one area and was “shaken”, not just stirred, in another, I couldn’t find contentment any longer in my job.  A job, a passionate role I had played out for over 16 years in one capacity or another.  How could I leave?  What would I do?  I don’t know how to do anything else.

“Ok, God!  If this is you, then open a door, a window, open someone else’s mouth and tell me.”  But He didn’t.  All he said was “go.”

Without going into all the nitty gritty of the whys and the hows, since that critical moment when I decided to leap and risk my future, my reputation and possibly even close friendships, I can genuinely share that I am bolder, stronger and closer to Jesus because of it.  I followed in the footsteps of faith that Jesus himself portrayed and I trusted beyond my own ability.

Why was it worth it to quit the comfortable surroundings of my secure job and doing something I was confident to do in order to chase and uncertain passion yet to be developed?  Because the risk, the jump, the leap into the arms of Christ is where faith is refined, nourished and strengthened in ways idol comfort cannot bring!   Besides, Jesus didn’t just risk his life for me, he gave it.  Shouldn’t I be willing to do the same?

Hebrews 12:1-2 says, “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, ^2 [a]fixing our eyes on Jesus, the ^[b]author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

As we run the race of life, we get entangled by fear, (of the unknown, of failing or disappointing others)  complacency, (I’ve been doing this so long, why change now) lies, (I’m not good enough, no one will support me, it’s to late for me).  We fix our eyes on the wrong people, the wrong situation, the wrong promises.  We need to fix our eyes on Jesus.  WHY?  Because He is the author and perfecter of our faith.  He had faith that the joy of our redemption that followed him risking his life on the cross far outweighed the pain and suffering and shame that came with it.

Following in his footsteps, if He nudges me to move, I wanna move.  If He nudges me to pray.  I wanna pray.  If He calls me to give up my comfortable surroundings and trust that He has something better for me that will help perfect my faith and deepen my connection with Him then I wanna do that.  Because when I say no, I say no to growth, to relationship with him and to the joy set before me.

Sadly, I can’t say I have always been faithful.  I could drudge up the past and name a handful of times when I said “no.”  “No, God, I don’t think you know what you’re doing.”   “No, God, that’s way too scary.”  “No, God, you can’t be THAT good.”  But thankfully, his grace is abundant and he never stops calling me to a life of action filled faith where I say “yes” no matter what the cost.  I pray you can do the same.