“I triple dog dare ya!”
A saying children would make to taunt you, to incite you to take the dare. Well as a child I didn’t take the dare and as an adult I’m not much of a risk taker still. No big bold claims, no risky financial investments, no bungie jumping or parasailing. NOPE. I like to keep my feet firmly on the ground with some semblance of control.
But what is control? Just an illusion, really. A false sense of security. The risk taker is willing to surrender control, throwing caution to the wind, thus creating space to catch the current and take flight. Yesterday I watched a majestic bird in flight. This bird sailed, dove, rose again and swooped down and up again he went, gracefully catching a current and riding it. He would have expended much more energy flapping his wings to set about his course. But the bird knows he can take a risk, catch a current and allow the current to carry him as opposed to fighting against it.
Last night I was given a challenge, a dare of sorts. I was asked to write down the ONE thing I needed God to do for me this week. I was asked to take a risk and take God at His word. I was asked to BELIEVE God for just ONE thing and to write it down.
But would I dare. An immediate panic hit my heart. I dare not utter the THING that I really wanted Him to do this week. Let me play it safe. I’ll tuck away the thing I really need to believe Him for in order to choose the safe thing. I’d rather pick the safe thing because if the true thing that I want to offer up isn’t fulfilled but this other thing is then I won’t be disappointed. If I pick this other thing then I won’t be let down. Yeah, let me pick the safe thing.
But the Father, in His loving kindness is always close at hand and close in our hearts. He gently tapped me and asked, “Daughter why do you doubt? More than you know I want to help you. I see the situation and I’m ready to work a miracle.”
Even in light of that truth, I backpedaled even further, layer reasoning on top of what the Father already uttered. So off to sleep I went, not writing down that ONE thing. But when I awoke as I do every morning a song played in my heart. And the song this morning says, “You’re a great God. You are great. Yes you’re a great God. You are great!” As that refrain repeated over and over, my mind began to catch up with what my Spirit already knows. Indeed He is a great God and wants to move mightily in my life and in yours. But have we tied His hands?
Have you, by way of your thinking, restricted God’s mobility? Do you have the Father in a straight jacket? Have you put the Holy Spirit under house arrest? He wants to lead you, to guide you, to walk you into the fulfillment of His will for your life but are you hampering the process with your hesitation to take a risk?
If you’re going to taste and see….it requires you to take a bite.
If you’re going to try Me now in this…it requires you to exercise your faith.
If you’re going to walk in paths of righteousness…it requires you to take a step.
I don’t think I’m much of a risk taker. But when I look back over my life I see that I’ve taken many risks. As a child I went all over the city on public transportation by myself. RISK. I left all that was known and familiar to attend college. RISK. I took rides with strangers. RISK. I quit my job to become a homemaker. RISK. I surrendered my womb and as a result have bore 6 children. RISK. I allow Him to lead me daily not knowing where my life is headed. RISK.
So I guess I am a risk taker after all. I challenge you. I double dog dare YOU. Take a risk. Take God at His word.
What is ONE thing you need Him to do for you this week? As my sister challenged me, tag, you’re it. I now challenge you. WRITE IT DOWN. Believe. And watch God work a miracle. Would you type that ONE thing in the comments so I can pray with you? I know He’s able to bring it to pass.
As always, it is my prayer that you’ve been Inspired To Live Fully!
Happy to connect with these friends sharing the Good News Mommy Moments, Purposeful Faith, Chasing Community, Grace & Truth