Nothing Risked, Nothing Gained

Have you ever taken a huge risk with a great outcome?

It was the summer of 1996 when she walked into my life. I had just received my Undergraduate degree at ACU and had made the decision to stick around and continue my Master’s studies. I would like to say that this decision was made in light of some huge revelation from God or direct Word from His Spirit…when in reality, I hung around as I had yet to find a wife!

That summer, like the two previous and the two to follow, I was working at the ACU Summer Leadership Camps as the camp worship leader. This was to be my third year, and I felt that many things were falling into place. My life picture was coming into focus. I was working at a church in Abilene, and I had my degree. For a twenty-three year old, I felt pretty well adjusted. Then she walked into my life. A young, naïve 18 year-old girl came to work on the camp staff that year. She was the little sister of one of my best friends. I had seen her from time to time because of our acquaintance, but never gave her a second thought. It wasn’t for lack of beauty, because she was quite gorgeous (and still is!). It wasn’t for lack of personality, as she was bubbly and quite personal. In truth, I was overlooking the most obvious gift God was giving me because I had taken her off of my radar because she was my friend’s little sis!

Well, that summer of ’96 continued on as most summers do, and I became keenly aware of this aforementioned girl’s presence wherever I went. She followed me everywhere and found numerous ways to get into proximity of me every chance she had. I began to get a little nervous. Nervousness gave way to annoyance, until finally, I asked one of her friends at the camp what was wrong with her! She politely responded, “she likes you and wants you to ask her out.” Never before had I been chased by a girl. Never! I’m the man! I’m the one who does the chasing to get what I want! The whole thing gave me the heebie-jeebies!

Yet, as the summer came to a close, it became more and more obvious that the sister of my good friend was not going to leave me alone. On what I would call a “sympathy date,” I agreed to come join her at a friend’s house to watch a movie with some of her friends. What they didn’t tell me was that I would be the only guy there and that the movie was “Pride and Prejudice.” Needless to say, that didn’t go too well. In a last ditch effort a few weeks later (and with much encouragement from my friends) I asked this girl out on a more formal date. I remember it like it was yesterday. We went to the Olive Garden (just about the only decent restaurant in Abilene at the time). It was abysmal. We had nothing to talk about. Nothing in common (or so I thought). I’m almost sure we got into a war of words about something. The date ended in disaster, and I was sure that this little “summer crush” of hers was over and done for. For four months, I forgot all about her. I began my Master’s work and dug in at the church I was working at. I had no time for girls. No time for anything but eating, sleeping, and reading. However, I remember that winter being home for Christmas that year. I was up very late one night playing solitaire on the computer. And as I drug the Ace of hearts to the top of the screen, it hit me…I really liked my friend’s sister. In fact, I might even want to date her! What had I been so scared about all this time? She was perfect for me. I knew it right then as sure as I knew my own name.

I went back to school in January with a new lease on life. I found this girl right off and asked her on a date. One thing led to another, and before you know it, we went out on several dates. As Spring Break hit that term, it was obvious that we were exclusively dating. Yet, one thing was absent from this story – the kiss. You see, in the weeks that we had gone out, we had never kissed. For me, in this relationship, kissing would be a marker and true test of seriousness; in short, I knew if I kissed this girl, I would eventually marry her. As you can bet, we had many awkward times over those few months when a romantic night would end and I would offer no kiss. Then it happened. On May 5^th, 1997, at 11:42pm on the steps of the amphitheater, I had made up my mind that I was going to risk everything I was holding on to. All my fears, pride (and prejudice - ha), were going to be put on the line in one single moment that would define me one way or the other forever! Skipping all the juicy details…suffice it to say, it went well! From that moment on, we were inseparable, and as I predicted, that kiss turned into a marriage almost 15 months later – of which we’ll celebrate 8 years this August.

As I look back now, it all seems silly – perspective has a way of doing that, doesn’t it? But at the time, I was certain that risking was not my best choice. What if I failed? What I had been rejected? What if it worked out and I lost my precious independence? What if, what if, what if??? In fact, the paralysis of analysis had crippled me into not being able to risk anything at all. I wonder if many times, my spiritual life is the same way, when advance after advance, I reject God’s initiation for a deeper walk with him, for fear I might lose myself in Him. Oh, what a fool I am! For I know now, deep inside, that risking can bring about two ends: failure or success. However, being too cautious to risk at all has no outcome whatsoever. Nothing risked…nothing gained...and what more does one have to gain by risking with God? This week, our worshipful focus will be on the men and women of the Bible who lived their life for God – not recklessly without regard for God’s leading, but in a lifestyle of risking much for the sake of gaining more with God. May our lives closely resemble their attitude of faith!

Resounding Themes:
Losing You Life for Jesus
Great God!
Extreme Faith
God’s Unforced Rhythms of Grace

Ready, Set, READ

Hebrews 11

Ready, Set, MEDITATE

- What does the Hebrews writer have to say about faith in his opening comments? What is the first thing mentioned that we have to “risk” to have faith? Why is that much so important to someone who fears God?

- Which of these stories of “faith” jump out at you? Why? Which one of these characters do you think took the biggest risk in their faith? Is there a story here that surprises you? Why?

- What’s the biggest risk you’ve ever taken? Was it a reckless risk (one that need not have been taken) or one than had calculable rewards if successful? How did it turn out? In retrospect, even if you failed, are you glad you risked? Are you good at risking in your relationship with God? If not, what holds you back? Do you really consider the Christian life-choice a risky venture?

Ready, Set, PRAY

Give thanks to You, Lord, our God and King – Your love endures forever! The splendor of Your immeasurable majesty stretches all around us, and though us, and in us. Creation declares Your praises as they take their part in the symphony of Your handiwork. So too, Father, may our mouths loose Your praises as we find ourselves enveloped more and more in You! Many before us, oh Great Redeemer, have found themselves in the unforced rhythms of Your grace. Servants live Noah, Joshua, David, Esther, Elijah, Mary, Simon Peter…they all had one thing in common; they risked in relationship we You. In retrospect, we call their acts “faith.” Yet, in the moment, I’m sure they felt anything but faithful – for it is a risky adventure to lay ourselves in the palm of Your will, Oh God. Yet, even as we submit, we find Your grip is both secure and gentle, firm but compassionate, constant yet ever-changing. By the witness that so many have shown to us, Lord, may we take our lead from them, drawing strength from their stories of risk and relationship with You. And Father, would You prepare us for such a noble task – as to do Your will…

Oh Lord, prepare me to be a Sanctuary

Pure and Holy, tried and true.

With thanksgiving, I’ll be a living Sanctuary for You.

Call us. Break us. Cleanse us. Use us. Give us the eyes to see and the faith to risk. Through the name of the One Who risked for our sake, Jesus. AMEN.

Ready, Set, WORSHIP!