I have studied the concepts of risk and faith for several years.  I have come to the conclusion that as a Christian, risk and faith are the same thing.  I conclude this in that everything I do must be done in faith.  Paul clarifies, Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, (Colossians 3:23) and …whatever does not proceed from faith is sin. (Romans 14:23)  So whatever we do, we do unto the Master and not ourselves.  And if we do anything, including taking necessary risks in our life or work, I am doing that with God by faith.  When we hesitate to “risk it”, we are also hesitating to step out on faith.  Now I am not advocating we do foolish things, yet when you’ve written a solid business plan and have experienced B4Ters check off on the plan – MOVE FORWARD!

We had just purchased our office unit for our business and the team gathered together in the shell of the building to pray and bless the building and commit it to Jesus’ purposes.  While we were praying I was hit with this sudden panic.  My mind raced… WHAT HAVE I DONE!  How is this all going to work?  Think of all the work! What kind of idiot am I?  Lord HELP!  While others were still praying and I was struggling with this panic attack, the Lord brought to mind a similar situation twelve years earlier.  I was sitting in a rocking chair in the hospital, rocking my one day old son.  At that time my mind raced… WHAT HAVE I DONE!  How is this all going to work? How am I going to raise, feed, educate this precious child!  Lord HELP!  He reminded me then, that this is His child, and if I steward his life to the best of my ability God will bless my son to His glory.  He reminded too, this is His business and if I steward the company to the best of my ability, He will also bless it to His glory.  To His credit God has blessed both our sons and our businesses.

When each Israelite took that first step onto the seabed of the Red Sea, I am sure each had a few doubts, a few fears.  More than a few must have been thinking, Is this a risk worth taking?  They were, without a doubt, entering new grounds.  Literally they were stepping out in faith.  But they heeded the word of God and stuck with one another and God protected and provided for them.

As B4Ters, when the panic hits; cling to God’s promises, and look for like-minded brothers and sisters to get counsel from – and keeping moving forward.

PATRICK LAI and his family have worked in SE Asia for over 37 years. His experience in doing business with Jesus has brought him to understand the meaning of work and worship in the marketplace. He started 14 businesses in four countries, six of which are still operating. Patrick and his wife, May, mentor and coach businesspeople working where there are few or no Christians. Check out Patrick’s latest book, Workship, now available in paperback and e-book.

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