Risk

I love the board game Risk. Those who play strategically and with purpose, making bold and calculated moves tend to be among the first to get out or the winner. Keeping it safe will often keep you in the game longer but, it won’t sustain you. Currently, I find myself in my own real life “game of Risk”, only the consequence of losing is far more than wounded pride. You see, God stomped all over my safe approach in pursuing my calling to ministry and directed me to pursue it boldly. Several weeks ago I found myself stuck between a rock and a hard place, not liking any of the options before me. Needing to save money for a car and if possible, tuition for the fall, it seemed that my only options were to work with a conservative ministry I didn’t completely align with or choose another option that went against my convictions. Greatly troubled and sensing that change was coming, I prayed and waited. Long story short, God made a way and I got a full-time job and on top of that a car even before I started working.

This is major, especially considering my long bout of unemployment/underemployment and financial situation. It was just like one of those miraculous stories I sometimes read at the end of sabbath school lessons (bible studies) that seemed to happen to everybody else but, me. It was the type of scenario that I wished and prayed would happen. A scenario I thought would be the greatest confirmation that God was faithful and leading me. So you’d think it’d be smooth sailing from here on out but, reality is that I’m just as uncomfortable as before. I still have the same fears as before. I’m just as impatient. I’m still unsatisfied. I still want more.

"So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering..." (Romans 12:1-2 MGS).

I used to wonder why the Israelites, who witnessed such great miracles, lacked so much in faith. The peace and faith they gained from even greater experiences only sustained them for so long. Soon they were back to their old habits but, now I realize why. See, my external circumstances don’t need changing. I do! I’m comfortable when things are going my way because, it’s then when I see how I can accomplish things in my own power. However, when things go God’s way it requires faith. As long as I put my trust in myself, I’ll need constant confirmation. It won't be enough to sustain me because I’m not trustworthy. Satisfaction will only come when I take a perceived risk and truly let Jesus be my Savior. Our savior is whoever and whatever we put our trust in. Christ must become more than just the superhero in my afterlife plot. He must be my superhero in my everyday life. More than we know, we need God practically right now, today. Whatever the situation, He is waiting to give you a hand. My desire is that I stop trading the truth for a lie, that I stop being an idol for myself, that I stop worshiping myself, a creation, instead of the Creator (Romans 1:25).

-Sydney Henry

Sydney is an independent gospel artist
and executive director of Uprise.
Find her music at sydneyandpaige.com or
follow her on twitter @sydneyhenry

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Our Movement

Who is Uprise?

Uprise seeks to increase young adult involvement and membership in local churches, provide current and practical spiritual solutions to the needs of young adults, serve and uplift others, provide Christian cafes and other like events, and support the creation and enhancement of young adult ministries. Find us at facebook.com/experienceuprise or email us at uprisemovement@gmail.com

Risk

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