One thing common to people who achieve a high level of success is their willingness to take risks. One of my early mentors always posed these two questions when I was considering a risky move. “What is the worst thing that could happen?” and “If that worst thing did happen, what would the damage be?”
The point is that in most cases, if the risk taken did not result in success, it would have left me in no worse circumstances than if I had not taken the risk. In business, for example, let’s say you have a very promising prospect that becomes unresponsive and won’t take your calls. You know your product or service is exactly what they need, and you could go over your prospects head and call the CEO, but you hesitate because that could damage your relationship if he takes offense. What is the worst thing that could happen? Answer: He won’t do business with you. And if that did happen, what damage is done? Answer: None, you weren’t getting his business before, that’s why you went over his head. So just move on to the next prospect.
The same holds true for sharing the gospel with those who do not know the living God. We fear we may offend and so we shrink away from talking about our faith for the sake of being politically correct. The following definition has been credited to a student at Texas A & M.
“Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a piece of feces by the clean end.”
If you just spoke your heart, what is the worst thing that could happen? Answer: You might be ridiculed or even ostracized for your belief. And if that did happen, what damage is done? Answer: You will be cut off from some who are still in darkness and may have your ego bruised, BUT you will still be a child of the most high God who was obedient to the Fathers will.
Evangelism is one of the most uncomfortable things we are called to do. It takes us out of our comfort zone into the realm of risk. For most, more often than not, we do not see the fruit of our efforts, but each time we take that risk and venture into that uncomfortable zone, we plant seeds of faith. I know, because I walked in darkness for many years. I heard the gospel many times and rejected it, but seeds were planted, one by one. Then, when finally my heart opened up, I heard and understood the Truth. Even in my unbelief, God was courting me, preparing me, and nudging me along.
1 Corinthians 2:14
“The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.”
Life is full of risks. We take a risk each time we drive a car, go out in a crowd, undergo surgery, participate in sports, and we think nothing of doing these things. They have become so routine that we just don’t think much about the risk. What a difference it would make if we could all learn to share our faith as easily as that.
2 Corinthians 4:6
“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”
Blessings & Adventure,
Lynn “lynnibug” Rios
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I love it at the beginning with your two questions – what’s the worse that could happen – and you are not going to know the answer if you don’t at least try and if you don’t try you will always wonder. AND the what if the worse did happen – well life does happen – you will know that you tried and it didn’t work and either find out why or decide that was not what was meant to be – – you might be surprised and find out that it worked – woooooohoooooooo
Nancy
Skype: nancyradlinger
Lynn,
Again you are so right, on both counts the business as well as the spiritual. I too have learned this lesson and it is one that we tend to learn over and over…lol….maybe I am just slow.
Thank you for sharing this with me and everyone else that reads it.
In love,
Kris
You are not slow Kris, just a high achiever! The more you strive the more you get some of everything that comes with it.
Awards are earned, gifts are given.” If you want it, you gotta WORK to get it! Risks are involved in working toward what you want, without them the end result just wouldn’t be worth it!
Most definitely — nothing ventured nothing gained! It’s scary taking those first few steps but we can truly achieve something great if we just “let go” and try something outside of our comfort zone. It’s how we grow!
I believe that the more knowledge and gifts we have been entrusted with; the greater the responsibility we have to share with others; no matter how great the risk…in business or in sharing God’s Word.
Another fabulous post, Lynn. I agree with you and everyone else you have to step out of that comfort zone to move forward. Thank you for sharing…..Blog Love