Occasionally, it’s time to start down a new path. But new is always risky because we’re entering the unknown. And so we often find ourselves with a mix of emotions – excited and terrified at the same time.
Whether it’s graduating from college or starting a new career, having a child, moving to another city, or finally starting that project we’ve been putting off for years – life regularly presents us with moments in which we must step out on faith and into something new.
On the one hand, we know intellectually this is a good move. In fact, we would only rob ourselves of our potential if we stayed back. But this doesn’t eliminate the fear and uncertainties still present, and rightly so.
We don’t live in Mayberry and even the people of God are not guaranteed a perfectly “safe” walk through this life. To be sure, living by faith often makes life more dangerous.
And our excitement for something new should not cause us to turn a blind eye to the potential risks in our journey. This allows us to mitigate them as best we can.
At the same time, we should not let the mere potential of risk deter us from discovering something new. Entering this new is how we grow. We will be challenged and tested, but also refined, matured, and equipped for greater service in God’s kingdom.
And, of course, we will have our fair share of failures along the way as well. But even these help us to discover God’s best.
In the end, stepping out into the new is often scary and exciting at the same time. Count the cost and learn to live with an eager anticipation for all the good God has in store for you.
Photo by Chris Hardy on Unsplash
