I have a friend who is moving his entire family to Brazil at the end of this month. He’s finally realizing a dream to serve on the mission field in Brazil. It’s been a tough few months for him. He’s quit his ‘good’ ministry job, and the salary that came with it; he’s sold his house, and most all it’s furnishings; he’s pulled his kids out of school and prepared for home schooling; he’s traveled many miles over the past few months trying to raise monthly support to provide for his mission; and he’s fought with the paperwork required to make such a move. I serve on his advisory board, and I also financially support his ministry (on a very, very small level).

I’ve always wondered if I would be willing to step out like this, and really depend on God to help provide for my family. How far away would I go in obedience to God? I’ve come to a place, quite recently, where I’m willing to risk whatever it takes to put myself squarely in God’s will for my life; but I’ve ran into the most difficult thing to risk. I personally don’t find it that risky to sell my house, quit my job, or ask others to support me monthly. I’ve done all these things in the past, and God has always proven faithful to provide for my needs when I’m in obedience to his plan. The thing I’ve recently come to find the hardest to risk is my HEART. If there was an opportunity that was presented to me, and I really wanted it. (I mean really, really, really wanted this opportunity…) Would I be willing to pray a prayer of faith for what I wanted? This requires a huge amount of risk to nothing but my heart. Until I’m given the go ahead to push forward with this dream, nothing is at risk; my home is safe, my family is safe, my career is safe. But while I sit in prayerful meditation about what God is leading me to do, my heart is fully exposed and at risk. I have found this place to require more Faith than anything else I have ever done.
I have come to understand Proverbs 13:9 in a whole new way.

It is pleasant to see dreams come true,
but fools refuse to turn from evil to attain them.