Have you ever considered that risk might actually equal freedom? That living a life at the edge of the unknown could be the most liberating experience we’ll ever have? This thought has been pressing on my mind since I had the opportunity to speak at my church this past weekend. The sermon was focused on regret, but an underlying theme of risk and freedom lingered heavily in my heart as I spoke. I shared a statement I had written several years ago about the definition of the Kingdom’s Path:

“Follow God with abandon at every age – with an eager expectation that God can use our lives for His purposes in the world. Risk always: Never completely settle: Be different, be HIS, and die gloriously.”

While my message primarily centered on regret, I couldn’t shake the tension between risk and freedom. It felt like a deep current running beneath my words, quietly urging me to explore it further. This concept, though abstract, is worth pondering: If we live a life full of risk (or what we perceive as risk), could we experience true freedom in Christ? Or does the uncertainty of the unknown leave us feeling trapped instead of liberated?

The Role of Perspective

As with most abstract ideas, perspective plays a vital role. For those who fear the unknown, the very idea of embracing risk feels overwhelming. The inability to plan ahead or control outcomes doesn’t lead to freedom in their hearts; it breeds anxiety and hesitation. But what if we could reframe our understanding of risk and the unknown? What if the very act of stepping into uncertainty was not a loss of control, but an invitation to trust God more fully?

The Bible consistently calls us to trust in God, even when the path is unclear. God promises that we will experience mystery if we follow Him—not as a punishment but as a journey of faith and growth. When we resist that mystery, we miss the opportunity to live in the fullness of His freedom. On the other hand, when we embrace the mystery of God, we find ourselves in the safest place we could ever be: directly in the center of His will.

Risk as a Pathway to Freedom

The paradox of risk is that it requires both faith and surrender. For me, there are seasons when God allows me to see a mile down the road. In those times, I can run with clarity and purpose, knowing where I’m headed. But there are other times when I can barely see an inch in front of me. These seasons demand a deeper faith and the courage to take steps forward without knowing exactly where I’ll land. It is in these moments that I’ve learned what true freedom feels like—freedom from the burden of control, from the pressure to have it all figured out, and from the fear of failure.

Risk, when framed through the lens of faith, becomes less about danger and more about opportunity. It’s an invitation to participate in something bigger than ourselves. It’s a declaration that we trust God more than we trust our own understanding.

Practical Questions for Reflection

As leaders, the tension between risk and freedom is one we often navigate—not just in our personal lives but also in how we lead others. Here are a few questions to help you reflect:

1. What is your current relationship with risk? Do you embrace it, or does it paralyze you?

2. How do you perceive the unknown? Is it something to be feared or an opportunity to trust God?

3. Where is God calling you to take a risk right now? Is there an area in your life or leadership where you feel Him nudging you to step out in faith?

4. Are you living with the freedom that comes from trusting God? Or are you holding back, weighed down by fear or the need for control?

Embracing the Journey

Living a life of risk doesn’t mean recklessness; it means faithfulness. It’s about choosing to follow God with abandon, even when the road ahead is unclear. It’s about expecting that He will use our lives for His purposes in ways we can’t yet imagine. It’s about being different, being His, and ultimately, living and dying gloriously for His glory.

So, I leave you with this question: Does risk equal freedom for you? Take time to wrestle with this idea in your own life. Ask God to reveal what He’s calling you toward and to give you the courage to step out in faith. Remember, the center of God’s will is the freest place you can ever be. Embrace the risk, and you might just discover a freedom you’ve never known.