Faith Is Spelled R-I-S-K

Let’s be honest, faith isn’t just a feeling. It’s not a spiritual buzzword. And it’s definitely not just something you believe in your head while playing it safe with your life. No, real faith does something. It moves. It obeys. It risks.

I heard someone say at the Alpha Conference, “Faith is spelled R-I-S-K,” and it hit me right between the eyes. Because it’s true. If your so-called faith never leads you to take a step that scares you, makes you uncomfortable, or pushes you beyond your strength, then what kind of faith is that?

Hebrews 11 is called the Hall of Faith—but read it again. Every single person listed there didn’t just believe something. They did something. Something radical. Something risky. Noah built an ark with no rain in sight. Abraham left everything he knew, not even knowing where he was going. Moses stood before Pharaoh, the most powerful man in the world, with nothing but a staff and a word from God.

They didn’t just believe in God. They believed God enough to obey, even when it didn’t make sense.

That’s the kind of faith God honors.

James didn’t mince words when he wrote,

“But someone will say, ‘You have faith and I have works.’ Show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” (James 2:18, LSB)

In other words: faith without action is dead.

Too many Christians are sitting on the sidelines of life, waiting for God to move, when He's actually waiting on them to take the next step. Yes, pray. Yes, wait on the Lord. But when He says go, GO. Even if it’s risky. Especially if it’s risky. That’s where faith lives.

Think about Peter. He didn’t walk on water while playing it safe in the boat. He had to risk getting wet. He had to risk looking foolish. But he also got to experience something no one else did, because he stepped out.

Sometimes faith means having a conversation that makes your stomach churn. Sometimes it’s starting a ministry when you don’t know how it’ll be funded. Sometimes it’s sharing your story when you’re afraid of rejection. Sometimes it’s leaving a job, moving to a new city, forgiving someone who hurt you, or standing up for the truth when it would be easier to just blend in.

That’s risky. But that’s faith.

And the reward? When you step into risk, you also step into dependence. You can’t rely on your own strength anymore. You need God. And that’s exactly where He wants you.

So what’s God asking you to risk today?

Your comfort?
Your control?
Your reputation?
Your security?

He’s not asking for your perfect plan, He’s asking for your obedient yes.

Let me leave you with this reminder: Faith isn’t safe. But it is worth it. Because on the other side of risk is a life marked by divine power, deep purpose, and the joy of knowing you trusted God when it counted most.

So go ahead. Step out.
Your faith was never meant to stay in the boat.

In Love,

Pastor Jody