Daredevil

DAREDEVIL
Ezra 10:4

"Rise up; this matter is in your hands. We will support you, so take courage and do it."

“I dare you!” A schoolmate yells in your face. You feel stupid, humiliated, scared. Am I a wimp? you think. The seconds tick away, kids gather around, watching. Out of desperation, you jump. You land safely away from the rocks in deep frigid water. You surface sputtering with cold, eager to get on shore. WHEW! That really took nerve, you admit to yourself.

But you jumped. You landed safely. You challenged yourself. You proved to the spectators that you aren’t a wimp. Sometimes acting on a dare works out well, sometimes it doesn’t. What’s the difference?

Consider the motive and the challenger. Is the challenger your friend—is the motive in your best interest? God often challenges His children to take risks. They frequently seem ridiculous, like accepting a kid’s dare. But the Bible is full of God’s dares for His beloved children to take risks. He guarantees success and is the best safety net anyone could want. God never promises us smooth sailing; He promises us a safe landing. God never fails, He never lies. He always has our best interest as His motive.

I call Ezra’s passage in 10:4, my “10-4” answer to God’s challenges. In CB radio, or HAM radio speak, 10-4 means OK. Thumbs-up. “Be of courage and do it!” When God offers His children a challenge, not taking the risk means disobedience. That’s a dare we daren’t refuse.

Noah built an ark when his neighbors jeered, “What’s rain”? He survived the flood; they all drowned. (Genesis 6:13-8:12). Abraham took God’s dare and left his native country. He had no idea where he was going, but God dared him to go to a “land He would show you”. (Genesis 12:1). Moses courageously agreed to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. (Exodus 3). Where did David get the courage to battle the giant Goliath? (1Samuel 17:49-50). Daniel’s buddies Shadrach, Meshach and Abendego walked out of a fiery furnace. (Daniel 3). Jonah ran away from God’s call, and was swallowed by a fish. (Jonah 1-3). Peter walked on water. (Matthew 14:29).

Jonah learned what happens in not accepting God’s dare. It isn’t as risky as he thought, compared to disobedience. What is God daring you to do?

Take Home Nugget

Changing your life takes courage. Leaving comfort zones for what seems risky (to humans) feels ridiculous. When stepping out onto the water, prayer is our first port of call. “Man was not made for safe harbors.” A friend is fond of saying to me upon leaving, “Take risks.” Instead of the usual, “Take care.”

J.D. Griffith

“Lord, renew us even as we grow old.
Give us a zest for life and make us bold.”

Fred Bauer

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