The Courage to Take Risks

 

What is your life purpose? Chances are that no matter what your dream is - whether it is starting your own business, going back to school to begin a new career, or starting a ministry, going after your dreams will require a key ingredient …risk!

It would nice if we were able to experience great change without risk. But the fact is, very rarely do we reach our life purpose without risk being a part of the picture. And, risk, my friend, takes great courage!

Esther, a courageous woman of the Bible, found herself in a precarious position that demanded her to take a great risk. During Esther’s reign as queen of a region, she uncovered an evil man’s scheme to annihilate the Jewish people.

Esther realized that as queen, she was the only person who had any chance of influencing the king to change the decree, allowing her people to live. However, there was one small catch; the law stated that anyone who dared to go before the king without his consent would instantly be killed – and that included the queen!

Esther had two choices: She could continue on with “life as usual”. After all, she must have thought, she was the queen - surely the king would spare her life! She could choose to mind her own business, and continue to live “the good life”.

But Esther realized something…that her life purpose was to do something to stop this horrendous event from occurring. She understood that to save her people, it would require risk on her part to make it happen. After praying, she received a plan from God, and shared it with her uncle. She proclaimed, “I'll go to the king, even though it's forbidden. If I die, I die." (Esther 4:16)

Wow! What powerful words!

What do you want to accomplish that might require great courage and risk? Unlike Esther, you probably won’t have to risk your life (thankfully!). But you just might have to risk:

• Failure
• Rejection
• Ridicule
• Embarrassment
• Loss
• Comfort

Do you have what it takes to create change and live out your purpose? Ask yourself these coaching questions:

• What is your life purpose?

• What risks might you face in order to bring about this change?

• Are you willing to move outside of your comfort zone to bring about change? It’s okay to be honest.

• Create a plan that will bring about the change you want. Remember, if your plan does not involve risk or discomfort, then your goal may not be big enough!

• Like Esther, share your plan with someone. Ask them to help hold you accountable for results.