Taking Risks, Trusting God
DIANE FERRARO
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 (ESV)
There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t think about the risks my biological mother took to keep me alive and then choose someone else to raise me.
Before I was born, she had decided to end her pregnancy. In fact, she was already on her way to the clinic when something inside her told her to stop. Instead of aborting me, she found a couple to adopt me. My mother chose life for me, and that’s why I’m here today.
My birth mother’s decisions required so much trust in God. It reminds me of the story of Moses.
In Exodus 2, we read about Jochebed, a Hebrew woman who gave birth to a son, Moses, during a time when Pharaoh ordered all male Hebrew babies be killed. She put her 3-month-old baby in the river in a basket; then Pharaoh’s daughter saw it and, taking compassion on the baby, raised him as her own.
Imagine, though, what Moses’ biological mother felt the moment she put the basket in the river, risking it all to save her son. The fear and anxiety that were wracking her. She had no idea what might happen to her baby. He could have tipped over and drowned, easily fallen into the many dangers of the Nile or even been discovered by an Egyptian soldier.
Whether a mom who chooses life decides to raise her child on her own or selects other parents to raise her child, both avenues hold huge risks. Both paths require walking in faith and trusting that God is going to take care of both her and her child.
You can’t build trust without taking risks.
Many women in the Bible — like Moses’ biological mother, Jochebed, or Esther, or Mary — have one thing in common: They risked everything to follow God.
And God was faithful to them.
Maybe today you’re facing an unexpected or unwanted pregnancy. Or maybe you’re already a mom, but you’re fearful in raising your children. Sister, God sees and understands your fear, confusion, conflicting emotions and feelings of inadequacy. He knows the details of your circumstances and won’t leave you in the middle of them. In fact, He will meet you there in the middle of them, if you’re willing to turn to Him in faith.
When we take risks in faith, we allow God’s hand to steer us toward a life that He will eventually use mightily. He will always be faithful to us, protecting us along the way.
I have been a foster mom, an adoptive mom and now a stepmom. My children are all adults now, but every day I still choose to entrust them to God. Whether you’re a mom or have someone in your life you care about deeply, let’s rest assured that God loves them even more than we do. He is looking after us and our children.
Dear heavenly Father, show me how to be strong and courageous as a woman in whatever role You’ve called me to fill today. Push me out of my comfort zone to take that risk I’ve been avoiding, and help me to come alongside someone else who may need encouragement to take a risk. I know that when I open my hands to You and let go, You will not only step in as my Protector, but You’ll also hold my hand and lead me. I will trust in You, and You alone! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
