On Monday night Brandi went out to get something at the grocery store for dinner so I was left with the three boys alone for a few minutes. This usually means trouble.

While we were playing in the front yard I noticed Jett looking at the neighbors bicycle ramp. I said, “You want to try to jump that thing Buddy?”

He quickly replied “Me?”

“Yes you.” Thirty seconds later we were strapping his helmet on, I was getting my camera, and he was getting ready to head for the ramp.

In my defense I really didn’t think he would have the guts to do it. But he did. And most importantly he jumped it without breaking his arm. He was scared to death (just look at his face) but he took the risk.

I was reminded of how the older I get the more difficult it is to take risks. When I was 21 years-old and owned nothing but a junky car and a few things I could stuff in the car (including a plant) it was easy to take a risk and  respond to God’s call to start a church. What did I have to lose?

The next church plant 6 years later was much more difficult. The ramp seemed a little steeper.

As I get older and I continue to accumulate possessions and responsibilities taking risks of any kind seems to be more dangerous. Yet it’s now I think I need to take these risks more than ever. I need to be reminded to place all my trust in Him.

God created us to be risk takers. Matthew 25:14-30 tells us about the three servants who were each given a certain amount of talents to care for. Two of the servants took risks with their talents and doubled their master’s money. But the bible says the third servant chose to dig a hole and hide his talent.  The third servants excuse… “I WAS AFRAID”.

I think too often in the church today we produce followers of Christ who dig holes instead of taking risks. So let me encourage you today to jump the ramp. Trust God in some area of your life which scares you to death.

• Serve someone who doesn’t deserve it

• Confess a sin you’ve been hiding

• Pray with your spouse

• Forgive someone you’ve been harboring resentment against

• Give outrageously

• Say “yes” to God in some area you’ve been procrastinating

Where have you been playing it safe? What risk do you need to take today?