Creating an ImpactSample

Take that Risk!

Nehemiah’s job required him to taste the wine of the king to see if it was poisoned and to serve wine to the king with a cheerful attitude. If for any reason the king was displeased with his behavior or his countenance, he could have his head cut off. Nehemiah could not prevent the burden of his heart from showing on his face and he took the risk of telling the king what was on his heart and asked for permission to go and also for resources and security.

Driven by the burden that consumed him towards the direction of his purpose, Nehemiah went on to take a huge risk. Pursuing your purpose and creating impact requires you to risk it all. You cannot play it safe and expect to create an impact.

As you browse through Scripture and study the lives of the heroes and heroines, one outstanding trait is their willingness to risk it all in obedience to the instruction of God:

Noah built an ark at a time when there was no rain (Genesis 6-9); Abraham left a land of familiarity and obeyed God to go to an unknown land (Genesis 12:1-5); Moses went back to Egypt to negotiate the release of the Hebrews (Exodus 4-7); Joshua marched around Jericho (Joshua 6); Gideon faced a multitude of Midianites with only three hundred soldiers (Judges 7); David ran to face Goliath with a sling and five stones (I Samuel 17); Peter went a little further to cast the net despite catching nothing all night (Luke 5:1-14); the same Peter stepped out of his boat on a stormy night to walk on water towards his Master (Matthew 14:22-36).

Unless you are willing to risk it all in obedience to the direction of God’s specific instructions, you cannot make an impact. Nehemiah understood this principle and put it into practice. In the end, you will realize it really isn’t a risk, but a walk of faith.

Dear Lord, help me to step out in faith, risking it all, in total obedience to Your Word. Amen