Becoming a Risk Taker…

If you are not willing to risk the unusual, you will have to settle for the ordinary. – Jim Rohn

This may come as a shock, but I’m not the biggest risk taker!  I usually take calculated risks… Sure, I’ve gone skydiving, but in my mind, that’s safer than driving on LA freeways everyday.  I may be adventurous, but I’m not the biggest risk taker.  When I look back upon my life, the biggest regrets I have are not having seized opportunities that were presented to me because it was too big of a risk.

This year, God is really stretching me to take more risks… more risks in church decisions, more risks in children’s ministry, more risks additional ministry opportunities, more risks in life…  And I have to admit that it hasn’t been easy AT ALL!!!  About a month ago, my pastor said “the vision is so compelling that we’re willing to risk failure” in reference to why we were starting an alternative multi-site campus.  His words really stuck with me!  Am I willing to risk failure for things I really believe in?  Am I willing to risk failure for new ideas that I want to implement in ministry?  Am I willing to risk failure for new opportunities that could lead to something great?

This week has been challenging as I’ve been dealing with some pushback from ministry and volunteer leaders.  Sometimes I think I’m crazy for wanting to establish certain culture or idea.  It’s mentally draining at times that I just think about giving in to what is comfortable, easy, and non-confrontational.  Sometimes these thoughts plague me because deep inside, it’s not what I should do.  Do I really want to push for paradigm shift in their idea of ministry?  Am I even the right person?

It’s no secret that I’m a huge fan of Phil Keoghan and his book, “No Opportunity Wasted.”  In the book, he inspires people to challenge themselves, seize opportunities, and live to the fullest without regrets!  In fact, I even made my own NOW list after I finished the book.  Bottom line: it’s not easy… it’s easy to give into something easy and comfortable… but tonight I was reminded that I don’t want to settle for the ordinary in ministry nor in life!