Steady As She Grows...

In Sunday's sermon, Pastor Althea said something I'd like us to reflect on today: "Faith is taking a measured risk."

Our pastor reminded us of our tendencies to demonstrate measured risk in our everyday lives. We expect that when we travel, we will reach our destination. We expect that the chairs we sit in will be strong enough to bear our weight. These are measured risks, and these are expressions of the faith we carry in our hearts. We take these risks every day because of what we believe, and we respond with surprise when our expectations are not realized.

We who are Christians have subscribed to a life of faith. Our faith is grounded in what God has said. We dare to risk because we believe His word. We dare to expect. We go through our days anticipating that God will act on behalf of His people, that He will keep His word, and that He will cause us to see and experience every promise He has poured into our hearts.

As we consider our life of faith, let us also remember that our faith is not solely for our personal benefit. Our faith can serve to build up every member of the body of Christ. If we have faith that God will act on behalf of His people, then we can also have faith that God will allow us to participate in His process.

Today, will you take the measured risk of acting in faith, in whatever ways God has gifted you to do so?

Romans 12:3-8

For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgement, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

All Scripture references are from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.