risk.

i must've been the last girl on earth who didn't own a pair of rain boots. but.... here they are now! ..just gotta wait another year before i can actually wear them >_< i love rain. and this is just gonna make rainy days that much better!

to risk
to laugh is to risk appearing the fool.
to weep is to risk appearing sentimental.
to reach out is to risk involvement,
to expose feelings is to risk exposing your true self.
to place your ideas and dreams before a crowd is to risk their loss.
to love is to risk not being loved in return,
to live is to risk dying,
to hope is to risk despair,
to try is to risk failure.
but risks must be taken because the greatest
hazard in life is to risk nothing.
the person who risks nothing, does nothing,
has nothing, is nothing.

william arthur ward .1921-1994.

how much of our christian faith rides on risk taking? including everything from reaching out to those in need, sharing in fellowship and community, witnessing, living a life that's real and true to the word... here's the thing. as many verses as i've memorized or apologetic lectures and sermons i've listened to or blogs i follow or bible studies i've gone to, if i am not mobilized in my faith, then all that is just [knowledge]. it makes me feel good about myself that i've come to understand some of the greatest truths of this world but maybe it's really a trap that can be so devastating to fall into. our faith is not meant to be confined to our own selves.. it's supposed to be taken to the ends of the earth! and i guess the test of whether i really believe that lies in my willingness to take a couple risks.