“In the crowd that day there was a woman who for twelve years had been afflicted with bleeding. She had spent every penny she had on doctors but not one had been able to help her. She slipped in from behind and touched the edge of Jesus’ cloak. At that very moment her hemorrhaging stopped. Jesus said, “Who touched me?” When no one stepped forward, Peter said, “But Master, we’ve got crowds of people on our hands. Dozens have touched you.” Jesus insisted, “Someone touched me. I felt power discharging from me.” When the woman realized that she couldn’t remain hidden, she knelt trembling before him. In front of all the people, she blurted out her story—why she touched him and how at that same moment she was healed. Jesus said, “Daughter, you took a risk trusting me, and now you’re healed and whole. Live well, live blessed!” — Luke 8:43-48
Despite being in a crowd, and heading to help a dying child, Jesus knew someone had a debilitating need and knew who it was despite questioning it publicly. Calling her out wasn’t for his sake but was for her faith purposes. Similar to the act of professing one’s faith, this hurting woman needed to know herself that she was “all in” with Jesus. And He responds with grace and affirmation by saying “you took a risk trusting me, now you’re healed and whole. Live well, live blessed.”
About 25 years ago, I took a business development position in Tokyo at a very small sports start-up company. This decision had a significant impact on the trajectory of my life resulting in;
- being sold out for Jesus;
- meeting my wife of now 23 years;
- helping launch Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) men’s chapter;
- leading to my dream job of working at the NBA.
Making this decision seems simple when looking in a rear view mirror today. However, at the time, the job offer I accepted came without pay (100% commission) and I had never studied Japanese. People close to me thought I was crazy for turning down “safe” job offers from Hallmark & Purina but in the two weeks that I had to decide to take the job or not, God was offering the safety of his robe to me asking me to trust Him with my career and significance. I simply needed to reach out, hang on to the edge of his cloak, and let him lead me to healing, wholeness & blessing.
When was the last time you took a spiritual risk for God?
- Starting a bible study in your neighborhood?
- Reconciling a messy business partnership?
- Writing a book encouraging others?
- Downsizing your house to have financial margin to bless others?
- Mentoring a troubled kid?
As we start 2017, may this be the year of spiritual risks as you serve at work and lead your family. And in the process of making you whole, watch in amazement where his cloak takes you.
Question |
What Spiritual Risks have you taken lately to encourage others?