How many different things do you say yes to? What are those things? What things do you say no to? How do those every day little decisions end up affecting your whole life?

We make yes and no decisions all day long, every day. Life is all about choices. Will you say no to getting out of bed and hit snooze one more time, will you say yes to driving the speed limit, will you say yes to another cup of coffee, will you say no to watching just one more show… Some decisions are methodically thought out over time, others are quick and hasty. Some have instant feedback, others have slow results. Some affect only you, others affect numerous people.  But regardless, our lives are filled with decision after decision that determine our steps, actions, and ultimately lives.

But don’t be overwhelmed by this seemingly endless cycle of choices… I can think of a pretty amazing way to make it less of a swamped feeling. God has called us to say yes to Him. Saying yes to Christ, yes to following Him, yes to love, yes to His truth. And the rest of the decisions can just flow all determined by the one overall decision. It’s not always an easy process, but it is a simple solution. And it is not just one way, it is THE way. Yes to Christ is the most important part of any decision. It is the thing we have to remember and cling to. It isn’t about saying no to the other things. It is about saying yes to pursuing Christ, pursuing what the Lord wants, and having everything in your life revolve around that one important decision. And other decisions are decided upon by this yes.  Rather than all the small no’s …

Does the title of this post make you squirm a little bit? It does for me. Not necessarily in a disagreeable way, but in a way that it gets me thinking. A few questions keep coming up. Am I willing to risk it all, or am I willing to risk just enough to still be comfortable? What am I willing to risk today, and what am I trying to hold on to? What is the difference between a big risk and a small risk? And what does it look like for me to risk everything?

Risk… it is the exposure to the chance of injury or loss; a hazard or dangerous chance, being in jepoardy, the unknown, a threat, uncertainty, and just pure possibility. People do not like the unknown. We like being in control and knowing what is going on and what will happen. Uncertainty can bring fear, instability, anticipation, and speculation. We would rather stay secure and safe in our own little world than take a step beyond our comfort zone. Risk doesn’t mean safe. It doesn’t always mean bad, but it doesn’t mean safe.

But that is exactly where we are supposed to be as followers of Christ.  Risking it all. Laying our life down so we can live for our Savior. Risk makes me think of a quote from the Chronicles of Narnia.
“Safe?” said Mr. Beaver; “don’t you hear what Mrs. Beaver tells you? Who said anything about safe? ‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King, I tell you.” So just like Aslan, our lives as believers is not safe, but it is good. Risking a life for Christ is not safe, but it is great, it is abundant, and it is worth it. So yes, it is unknown but it …

Usually change doesn’t come naturally. It can come with kicking and screaming, hesitation, or just flat out rebellion. But change doesn’t have to be a bad thing. Yes, change often comes with uncertainty… but it can also come with growth, opportunity, and adventure. Look at change with a new hope. See that change can be good, and trust God with the process. Don’t be afraid of what may be around the corner of a new opportunity.  Be open. Be willing. Embrace change.

Ephesians 4:21-22 says “when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”

The Lord wants to continually refine us, mold us, and break us so that we can become more like Him.  But that doesn’t come without change. Our human nature is broken, selfish, and immature.  Christ calls us to throw off our old self and daily strive to live in the abundance and the blessing that Christ has for us in a life with Him. A life of hope, forgiveness, love, and purpose. And a life with Christ compels us to live differently. We don’t have to live stuck in our brokenness or shame. Christ has redeemed us. He has set us free. And we have power in His transforming work in us. We live out the characteristics of Christ as we get to know him more.  We grow and begin to bear the fruit of the spirit.

Change also takes work. Sometimes hard work. …