Risky Living

"To live without risk is to risk not living.... 

 it knows that the possibility of making a mistake and getting hurt is very real. But without exposure to potential failure, there is no risk..."

- Brennan Manning, Ruthless Trust

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It is true that I often write about risk on this blog... but it just so happens that taking risks is one of the driving forces in my life: to take risks despite the chance of "failure" - whatever that means - so that I may be challenged, forced to learn, moved toward growth and stretched beyond myself. 

There's no doubt that taking risks is scary business... but how else are we to learn the fundamentals of trust if there isn't a little fear involved? 

What if we miss out on His plan because we are too afraid to wait, to jump in, to let go, to give in, to forgive, to love, to correct or to simply let the unknown be the unknown?

Again, it involves trust... being ok with not knowing and understanding that the majority of real living requires a surrendering of control. 

But oh, it is so difficult to live this way! To let go of control and allow for risky living requires constant vigilance of the mind's tendency toward self sufficiency. It takes discipline and intentionality... to run toward fear rather than remain wrapped up in a safety net of routine and familiarity. 

So I ask, what requires risking today? Will trust be enough to do so? Or... will fear rule the unknown and the prospect of getting hurt? 

What's worse: risking something big and getting hurt in the future, or never knowing what could have been if only you trusted?

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Today, these words are written to remind myself.