Are you a risk taker?

A few months back I had a meeting with an advisor at my bank to discuss my "risk tolerance" in regards to some financial decisions I was making. I walked into that meeting thinking I had a higher risk tolerance than I did when it came to money.  This conversation got me thinking about what my "risk tolerance" is outside of the bank, on a day-to-day basis and how willing I am to take risks for God and walk in obedience to him. 

I realized I have taken a number of different risks lately that pulled me right out of my comfort zone. I guess there is a reason that it's called a 'comfort zone' since it's awfully comfortable and familiar there. Most recently I had the chance to pray for a few people as God prompted which pushed me out of my comfort zone a bit. I also started this blog which feels a little vulnerable as I put my thoughts out there for people to read. I've been taking big risks in hoping and praying for things that God has promised for me that I have yet to see fulfilled, and also in my prayers for family, friends, and my job. I even went on a date after agreeing to be set up with a guy through mutual friends which was a pretty big risk for me. I often feel as though it takes risk to just be a Christian in my workplace, to have the values and beliefs I have and to walk them out boldly (something I am definitely needing to work on) in such a secular place.

Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap. Ecclesiastes 11:4 (NIV)

I love what Ecclesiastes is saying here. You will not reap what you do not sow, and you will not sow if you are only watching the wind. Sometimes you have to stop watching the wind and take action. Sometimes you have to get off your couch, leave your house, and put yourself out there. Sometimes it will be uncomfortable, that's okay! Obedience involves risk. Having hope and faith involves risk. Loving people involves risk. It's exciting, empowering, and scary all at the same time. That's the thing with risk, there is always some uncertainty involved and the possibility that it might not turn out so great. However, there is also the even greater possibility that something amazing will come of it. When God is involved, that's the case more often than not! Thankfully so.

Some of the risks I've taken lately haven't turned out quite the way I imagined or expected they would. It's hard to hope and believe for something to happen and then not see it come to fruition. It's tough to be shut down, rejected or not accepted. I'm learning that it's okay, this is a part of life, and God is still good, always. Sometimes taking risks makes me feel like a top being thrown off kilter, and leaves me questioning whether I should risk again. Am I willing to risk even though it could hurt and might be disappointing? Yes, because there is good news! Risks produce harvest if you are willing to sow into them. And, it's worth it do so even if your heart hurts a little in the process or you are burned because I've realized you learn and grow and become stronger in your faith and dependence on God. Situations might not always go the way you planned; you might not be well received, someone might not be healed after you pray for them, and something might end in a way you weren't expecting it to - but, you were obedient and took the risk. You aren't sitting on your couch wondering what might have happened, because you went for it! And regardless of the turnout, there is always learning to be had along the way. 

The Bible is full of people who took huge risks for God. Jesus risked being rejected and misunderstood on a regular basis, and he experienced both of these to the fullest extent possible. Rahab comes to mind when she hides Israelite spies in the book of Joshua or Moses who parts the red sea in Exodus. I love the story of the woman who pours perfume on Jesus' feet in Luke. There is also the woman hemorrhaging who believes she will be healed through touching Jesus' cloak takes risk in Matthew. She is healed! Come on! I could go on and on, as there are countless stories of risk-takers all throughout the Bible. Noah, Daniel, Abraham, the disciples... All these people have several things in common, but the most obvious being faith: faith in a faithful God. They also trusted him and were obedient, even when if it meant looking crazy or different. I'm realizing more and more that risk (whatever the size and cost) is really just a normal part of our Christian walk. 

Faith, trust, obedience and risk all go hand in hand.

So, I am choosing to be a risk-taker because God is a loving father who holds me close, and really, the safest place to be is in his will. I am choosing to be a risk-taker because even though it throws me off balance at times and it's hard to get back up, God is always stable and never off kilter. Psalm 46:1 says he is "our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble". That is enough for me, HE is enough for me. I desire to stay in tune with what my Father in heaven is saying and asking of me, and I long for more boldness, courage and grace to walk it out, to be obedient and take the risks needed along the way, even when it seems scary. Choose to be a risk-taker alongside our amazing Father!

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.
Psalm 56:3 (NIV)

Stay tuned, in the next month or so I am hoping to explore the topic of community further, with the help of some dear friends!

P.S. Thanks for reading my blog!

What is God teaching you?

I was skyping with a friend recently and sharing with her how my job has seemed extra challenging lately and I haven't been dealing with it well (if at all). While I could identify some things that were making it hard, there were also things that I couldn't (and still can't) even pin point necessarily. I described feeling as though I was just trudging along, which felt laborious and taxing. Trudging along is slow, painful and also rather discouraging. It's not the least bit restful, and feels like barely "surviving" at times. The thing is, when you're trudging along you aren't getting anywhere fast and you're not able to see above whatever it is you're trying to get through. Your eyes on yourself and the hard stuff you are dealing with and it's difficult to have hope and know the end goal because of this.

Yeah, that has been me.

I had driven home that day feeling overwhelmed and praying to God for his perspective, asking him what I should do, and ultimately crying out for his grace to walk through this. I didn't want to just survive anymore or hope it gets easier in time and somehow get through it.

My friend's (gentle, and loving) response to me: "What do you think God is teaching you through this? Have you asked him?"....Boom. Busted!

That was one of the keys for me. When we ask God to reveal what he is teaching us (even if it's just a glimpse because we usually don't get the whole picture), we can then co-labour in that together with him. Breakthrough comes sooner when our eyes are on him and we are aware of what he is teaching us, or at least are reminded that there is an end and HE is with us in the process! I heard God say that this challenging season at my job is character building. Gaining an understanding of that brought a shift for me! As I write this a few weeks after this happened, I am seeing his work on my character in small ways. Is it still challenging? Yes. Do I have a better perspective and attitude? Yes.

It has been a humbling process, and seems almost silly and obvious as I write this all out, but so often I just trudge and forget to keep my eyes on the one who keeps his loving eyes on me. I forget all too quickly that he also makes all things work together for the good of those who love him! Walking in this kingdom mindset is so much more effective, hopeful and freeing in our challenging situations. The challenges we go through are not just hard for the sake of being hard - which is a tempting mindset to have because it almost takes the responsibility off ourselves to keep our eyes on him, to pray, shift the atmosphere, seek and have HIS perspective, etc. amidst our circumstances. With all that said, I encourage you to be honest with yourself, stop trudging and ask God what he is teaching you amidst your own circumstances.

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.

Psalm 32:8

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those are called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:28

Community: We need one another!

Since my birthday back in February, I've felt God putting it on my heart to write more, particularly in the form of blogging.  I felt him say to begin by writing about community and what I've learned about it since I began "living in community" with some married friends of mine back in June of 2012. This could take multiple posts as there is quite the story of how we ended up living together, and it's a continual journey learning what living in community is really all about.

Currently I work as a home care nurse in the Downtown Eastside (DTES) of Vancouver, one of the "poorest postal codes" in Canada. I have seen a lot of suffering and brokenness, things I never could have imagined. I have also seen community that I didn't expect which is so beautiful. Yet I have also seen isolation at its worst.

I'm sure there are numerous studies about isolation and people's health, and how social support is a huge determinant of health. I'm convinced it's the most important! Anyway, that's just the nurse in me coming out right there. Lately I have encountered people through my job who are in some very tough, heart-wrenching circumstances without a lot of support and it's really driven this home for me: we need each other, we need community. Desperately.

No amount of money will buy you community. No amount of money will make you happy. Cute homes, good views, expensive clothes, nice cars... none of this amounts to much when it comes down to it. We need God, and we need each other. People long to be in community more than I think they even know! People long to be loved, to be known, to be heard, to be touched, to be seen. I'm realizing more and more that God created us to live in community with one another.

God places the lonely in families; he sets the prisoners free and gives them joy. But he makes the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.

Psalm 68:6

I just love this verse! He places the lonely in families (community!). While I have wonderful parents, siblings and extended family, God has revamped and expanded my definition of family and placed me in one that is just right for this season in my life. I am a single woman, living away from immediate family and where I've grown up. Living alone was always an option I suppose, but not one that seemed right at this time. I can't say I was lonely, but let's be honest, loneliness is real life struggle whether you are single or not and isn't dependent on your living arrangements necessarily.

God has provided community, a family to me. I have the privilege of living together with a married couple and their precious baby (who wasn't born or even in the womb when we first moved in together!). Basically, we share life together. That means we have seen each other at our worst and best (which is humbling at the best of times). We enjoy sharing meals together, and we definitely laugh a lot. As a community we also take time to pray together. Is it easy all the time? Nope. But all of us are called to do life together in some form of community. The Bible encourages this - eating together, fellowship, praying/worshipping together.... Jesus instructs us to love one another, encourage one another and bear each others' burdens. The context of this? Community.

Regardless of where you are living, with whom you are living with and where you are at... what does community look like for you in this season, right now? There is really no set way this has to look, which is the beauty of it! God can work creatively in any circumstance to help us establish community. Sometimes, he brings it to us. Sometimes, we have to search it out. For me it was a combination. God provided people to live in community with, yet we longed for more since moving further away from our church community and we were able to start a small group of sorts with other Vancouverites who also "commuted" to church. Ask him what it looks look, how to get it, and what he has for you! We serve a God who cares for our every need, and knows about them before we even ask.