Now faith is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses]. – Hebrews 11:1, Amplified Bible (AMP)

Years ago, one of my best friends was at a crossroads. He had the opportunity to leave a career he didn’t much care for to start one he thought would be great for his family. The problem? The job he was to leave came with a steady paycheck. The job he was to take did not. The job he was considering was a commission-based sales job, and the only way he could earn income was to sell, sell, sell! He had never held a sales position before, let alone a commission-only sales position, so he had no track record of achievement to factor into his decision. Needless to say, he was scared to death!  He prayed long and hard for God to show him what he should do, and after a time he felt The Lord wanted him to take the plunge. Trusting God alone for the increase, my friend stepped onto God’s bridge of faith.  Now, roughly twenty years later, my friend is (and consistently has been) one of the most successful people in his market and industry.

Chapter 11 of the book of Hebrews is called by many “The Hall of Fame of Faith.” It could just as easily be called “The Hall of Fame of Risk.” When you consider the lives of the people listed in Hebrews 11, you cannot help but see risk surrounding their souls. What sense did it make for Noah to build an ark when no one had ever seen rain? What sense did it make, at age 75, for Abraham to leave his home with no clue where he was going? Why in the world would Moses reject his comfortable, wealthy position as a prince to lead a bunch of poor slaves?  Why? Because they had faith in the God of Heaven, and they were willing to step onto God’s bridge of faith, despite the risks inherent with such steps.

Trusting in God’s promises and in His character requires faith, and exercising faith requires embracing risk. If you don’t know for sure whether God is asking you to take a certain step of faith, then don’t take it. However, when God makes it clear, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that He wants you to stop trusting in what you can see and start trusting in what He can see, then do so. By trusting God and embracing the risk, you’ll have access to a host of blessings that only faith – and risk – can unlock.