2013 - Year of Risk

It hit me today that theme for 2013 is risk. That is taking the step to put myself out there to do something that I am not really comfortable doing. 

 

Take starting this blog for example. I never really realized how private of a person I am until the thought of putting my personal musings on the World Wide Web. What if someone doesn't like it? What if they think its silly? What if they criticize me or attack me for my beliefs? It sure feels safer to keep my thoughts to myself. Yet, I have come to recognize that not everyone is going to like what I have to say. Not everyone is going to agree with me. And that is ok. In fact, it probably even better that way. I think we learn so much from hearing different perspectives. That is why I am taking the risk to put mine out there.

I enjoy asking people what accomplishment they are most proud of. What about you? What accomplishment are you most proud of?

For most people that I have asked, it is not usually something that came easy for them or something that they are naturally good at. Typically, it is something that they struggled with, something that they really had to put time and energy into, something that they had to step outside of their comfort zone to do. Something that was risky for them.

For me, one of the things I am most proud of is sticking with the McBride Honors Program in college. McBride was aimed in equipping engineers to be well-rounded, critical thinkers through reading, writing, and lively discussion of social and ethical topics.  I didn’t mind the reading and discussion aspect but writing for me was torture. I am the slowest, most methodical writer and so being in a program where I had to write at least 2-3 page paper every week along with some bigger term papers, was not exactly thrilling for me. I would rather work on fifty advanced engineering math problems than write a paper. Each week when it came time to write that paper, I thought about quitting instead. I really didn't need to be in those classes to graduate, so why am I doing this? But I stuck with it, and I am so glad I did! It was through McBride that I had some of my favorite college experiences, my favorite classes, and made friendships that will last for a lifetime!

 What would life be like if we didn’t push ourselves out of our comfort zone or take risks? There have been times where I stuck with the easy road. It was nice and comfortable at first but after a while, life started to get dull and dreary. I think we are created to take risks. After all, God is a risk-taker.  Jesus left the comforts and safety of heaven to become human. And it wasn’t all roses and sunshine for Him. Since His birth, He had people determined to murder Him.  He was betrayed by one of his closest friends and forsaken by his other friends at his time of greatest need, he was beaten, whipped, and hung on a cross.  But where would we be if Jesus hadn’t taken the risk?

So I am hoping to take more risks this year. To be willing to take the risk to talk to the person asking for money on the street and hear their story,  to take the risk to stop and pray with a stranger, to take the risk to stop and give my time to someone who really needs it even when the to-do list is calling my name, to take the risk to apologize when I am the one in the wrong, to take the risk to do the right thing, not the easy thing, to take the risk of loving those who can’t or won’t love me back.  

What about you? What is something you have dreamed of doing but fear and uncertainty has held you back? Let 2013 be there year where we step out and take the risk! 

As my favorite quote from Jamba Juice says: 

Don't be afraid to go out a limb - that is where the fruit is!