Risk-averse is a term often used by financial managers to describe people who do not want to take risks with their investments. They want low-risk investments, and that can be a prudent way to handle your money. But should we always be risk-averse?

Ron Hutchcraft told a story that illustrates what I’m talking about. He said he had been invited to go hiking with some friends in a gorgeous setting, to see a breathtaking waterfall. Ron was determined to see it. So, they hiked up the mountain and came to a large stream they had to cross to get to the waterfall. Ron took a look at the stream and started searching for a bridge, but there was none. He said to his companions, "How do we get across here?"

"Oh," they said, "you have to walk across the pipe there.” Ron looked at the pipe that bridged the stream. It was small; it was wet; it looked dangerous. And his first reaction was, "Thanks but no thanks. I'll stay here.” But his friends urged him, "Come on. You can't stay here. The view is on the other side. Wait ‘til you see the view and the waterfall. Come on; walk across the pipe."

Ron had a decision to make. Either stay where he was and miss the view or walk across the pipe. He decided to take the risky way, and he walked across. He said, "I wouldn't have missed that view for anything. It was the most beautiful sight I've ever seen. But I had to walk the pipe to get there."

Yes, it was a bit risky, but it was worth the risk. You know, as we live our lives for Jesus, there will be times when we need to take a risk, move out of our comfort zones, attempt something that looks difficult, and yes, even run the possibility of failing. For example, maybe God has been prompting you to share your faith with a coworker, but you’ve been reluctant to do so because it’s risky. You think: That coworker may react negatively, or I may botch it and say all the wrong things. Or maybe it’s against the law to share my faith on the job! And so that fear keeps you from taking the risk.

I wonder how many of us are missing out on so much of what God wants us to do and the blessings that come when we obey, simply because we’re not willing to take a risk. Obviously, we shouldn’t take unnecessary risks, and we should always proceed with prayer and caution. But my friends, if you’re afraid of any risk, you may never do all the good things God has put you here to do. You’ll miss so much of God’s blessing in your life.

The Bible is full of stories of risk-takers. Esther took a great risk to rescue her people from annihilation. This young, inexperienced woman literally took her life in her hands and approached the king. Before doing that, she asked for all the Jews to pray and fast for her. That’s a good principle. You shouldn’t just go headlong into some risk without knowing God is leading you and knowing you are fortified with prayer. But once she knew she had to take this risk, she said, “I will go to the king even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.”

Esther was a meek, humble young woman. She was not equipped for such an assignment. She could have given many legitimate excuses why she could not take this risk of approaching the king to save her people. But she knew it was a unique opportunity, and she knew it was the right thing to do. She did face the possibility of failure; she knew the extent of the risk she took, but she knew she had to do it. So, she said, “If I perish, I perish.”

You see, many of us are very willing to serve Jesus as long as it's comfortable and not terribly demanding. We have our life plan in place, and we've put Jesus in the schedule. Yes, we love him, but after all, we're not all called to be missionaries, right? So, we get to the edge of the river, and we take a look across. We see some people there who seem to soar and enjoy the other side. But we keep looking at that pipe; it's risky; it takes faith. And we decide to stay where the ground is firm, and we're not at risk.

Oh,