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by Dennis and Barbara Rainey

Psalm 18:33,36
He makes my feet like hinds' feet, and sets me upon my high places. Thou dost enlarge my steps under me, and my feet have not slipped.

I am a daredevil, a risk taker. No, I don't go hang gliding, skydiving or bungee jumping. But I like adventure-trying something new with enough risk to make it exciting.

One summer I did something that causes me to tremble and tighten my muscles even now. My boss put together a two-day camping adventure for several leaders of Campus Crusade for Christ.

Our first day's challenge was mountain climbing. Words and phrases like "rope up," "rappelling" and "sewing-machine leg" gained new meaning. To keep climbing, we had to mentally decide to take a risk. I found in most cases physical limitations were not my enemy. My mind caused me the real trouble because I wanted to play it safe.

But it was going down on the second day that brought the most fear. As we thought of sliding down a rope from the edge of a cliff to a ledge 175 feet below, there was a lot of nervous laughter among these men.

I was number 12 out of 14, which meant I had a lot of time to think about it. Sometimes thinking is dangerous.

Finally, it was my turn. With cold, sweaty palms, I stood to fasten my rope on my belt. At the edge of the cliff I had to lean back almost horizontally. This is it, I thought. This is the way I'm going to die.

In a few seconds I found myself dangling with the valley floor 1,500 feet below to my left. I glided safely down the rope for about 30 seconds to the ledge below. The risk had been worth it. Unhooking my ropes, I looked up at the mountain and thought, I really can't believe I did that.

I learned that day that risk is inevitable if we are to climb mountains and accomplish great things for the kingdom of God. Your mind may say, "Play it safe," but the Scriptures command us to lean on God.

Prayer:

At the end of your life will it be said of you, "He believed God for too much rather than too little?" Ask God to help you be more of a spiritual risk taker.

Discuss: Are you a risk taker, or do you play it safe in your walk with God?

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