Often, we have set plans for our lives. Whether those plans actually take place or not, isn’t entirely up to us, but we do a lot to make sure we stay on track. Sometimes we get so stuck in how we think our life should go that we close ourselves off to different opportunities that may not “line up” with what we have planned. At the beginning of last month, while in the midst of grad applications and preparing for my future, I was offered a work opportunity that had nothing to do with my future career plans. I wasn’t sure about taking this chance, what to expect if I did, or how and if it would impact my life. With little to no time to make a decision, I decided to go for it and ended up opening myself to a whole new world of possibilities.
As easy as it is to want to stick to a routine and plan, it is good to invest a lot of time into trying new things, inviting in new perspectives that allow you to learn what you would not have otherwise. In my personal experience, I’ve tended to step out of my comfort zone just enough to be impacted but never have I jumped into something that was completely off scale for me. A part of the reason why it is difficult for people to do something that is not like them is because of fear. Too many times we give fear permission to hold us back from unknown possibilities the world had to offer us. Imagine if the people who came before us lived “safe” lives and never took any risks – we would not be half the community we are today. Through trying new things, opening ourselves up to new experiences, and making mistakes, we’ve advanced our community and continued to make improvements on our quality of living.
People often stick with the narrative that our choices and the decisions we make are not our own because of God’s will for our life but in reality, through Him, we are given free will. It is my belief that God encourages us to take risks because it gives Him more room to show us how much of a protector and provider He is. It is scary and uncomfortable when we’re faced with decisions to make or when we’re given the opportunity to try new things, but we can consult God even in our freedom and trust that He will steer us in the right path. The thing about risks is that they’re risky. They’re risky because the outcome is unknown, to us, and because very rarely is the outcome guaranteed and can the outcome be anticipated. And, God knows how uncomfortable growth can be, but He also knows how necessary it is, which is why He’s with us every step of the way. Romans 8:28 reminds us that all things work together for the good of those that love the Lord and we can lean on that and rely on God’s plans to prevail regardless of a risks’ outcome. It’s not everyday that we take risks and it goes 100% smoothly, but it is everyday that God is with us.
