Friday, January 23, 2009

The Crime of Living Cautiously

My friend recently quoted a Lucy Shaw book in her newsletter saying:

"The life we hoard, clutch, protect, safeguard out of fear or timidity ends up being of little use to us or anyone else, least of all to God and his Kingdom. The kind of life Jesus lived would appear to be foolishness to any uninformed onlooker..... The cliff edge of our anxiety about the future may indicate that God is calling us to a new and different level of faith. When we walk, praying for guidance, to the edge of all the light we have and breathlessly take that first step into the foggy mystery of the unknown, we must believe that one of two things will happen: either God will provide us with something rock-solid to stand on, or he will teach us how to fly."

I totally identified with this and agree that the kind of life Jesus plans for us is not one of timidity, fear, cautiousness, or reticence, but one of adventure, boldness, faith, and trust. I think I have some experience on that cliff edge between the known and unknown and I can testify that it rocks! I never regret steps of faith taken with trust in God.

(Another good book on this topic is Don't Waste Your Life by John Piper. I'm sure that book has changed many a life and I highly recommend it!)

3 comments:

Nathan FC said...

Yes, to really "eat" God's word, so that it is inside us and directs us can be a "sweet" thing. There are bitter times however, times of uncertainty. Like the Apostle John who was given the book to eat those who follow in faith in God's word all those who truly make God's life-directing word part of themselves will surely know both sweet and bitter times.

Anonymous said...

such inspirational words. i am going to borrow them, if you don't mind:)

Beth Niquette said...

You are a very thoughtful young woman. How wonderful that you have allowed God full sway in your life. God bless you, my dear.