Taking RisksSample

GET UP

The nation of Israel wandered in spiritual mediocrity for forty years because ten men didn’t want to take the risk (see Num. 13:25–33). God’s promises for you are like the promised land offered to Israel. The big fruit, rolling hills, and freshwater streams are intermingled with giants that want to oppose you taking the land.

When forty years had passed, Joshua and Caleb finally got their reward. But the risk was the same—the giants were still there. These were not fearless moments. Joshua looked across the Jordan and thought, “I don’t know if I can do this.” This was bigger than Joshua, the perfect risk to take.

There are three real practical moves God encouraged Joshua to make in order to take hold of His promise. These three actions provide an excellent application for any risks you take to follow God. You can find them in Joshua 1:1-8. The first move is to “Get Up”.

“Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the people of Israel.” (Josh. 1:2)

God called out for Joshua to “arise.” This adventure was now getting real. At this moment, Joshua had to face the risk of what lay ahead and agree with God. This first move was critical for Joshua. He had to get up.

Nothing can strike fear into our hearts like leaving what is familiar. As much as we might hate where we are in life, there is a little comfort in what we know, even if the standard is mediocre. So, after all the excitement of dreaming, imagining, planning, and envisioning is done, there comes a time to move.

Of this, you can be sure: no one is more passionate to see you go after God’s best than God Himself. That God-given vision to engage in something that is beyond you but compels you? Get up. That big dream that God gave you, and you’ve maybe never told a soul—get up and never again settle for less than God’s best.

It is the grace of God to realize that you’ve settled for less for too long. And it’s the grace of God that will get you unstuck. It’s time to take a risk.

HOW TO TAKE THAT RISK:

• Get up! I mean physically. Stand up and tell God (aloud), “I will not settle for too little. I will take risks with my life. Your Word will be my guide.”
• Repeat it several times and with increasing volume. Put some punch behind it until you’re on the edge of ridiculous.
• Repeat as often as necessary, and then add one more for good measure. It’s time to get up.