Several years ago, I had a ministry opportunity come calling. Literally.
That was the first time I realized how much I struggled with taking risks for God.
After spending days analyzing the possible outcomes of stepping out in faith, I withdrew. Remember our devotion last week? The one about Abigail and her bold action? I guess you could say I did just the opposite of what Abigail would do, but I also learned something important about myself. I wanted to discover how to become a woman who isn’t afraid to take a risk when God asks.
So I began with a question:
What am I afraid will happen if I take this risk?
Fear is a wicked foe in our lives. It comes in disguised as other things. We may believe we’re proceeding with caution or using discernment, both of which are good things. So how do we know what is holding us back? How do we separate an unholy fear from the Holy Spirit’s promptings to stay put?
Thankfully, we can look to God’s Word and pray for guidance. He is faithful to lead us and give us peace, whether we take the risk or see warning signs ahead.
A Woman Who Trusted God with Her People
When I asked myself the question above, the answer became clear. I was afraid of how my decision would affect my family. And although it’s wise for us to consider how open doors will affect our loved ones, we can’t give into fear over their future. We need to trust God with the people we love most when we move ahead with His calling.
One woman in the Bible who demonstrated trusting God with her people was named Joanna. She took a risk, even when it could’ve meant life or death. Her story gives us a great example of risk-taking faith.
Joanna’s name is only mentioned briefly in Scripture. But the words used to describe her show her willingness to go where her Savior led and help in whatever way she could. Joanna was among the devoted women who traveled with Jesus during his time on earth. She either had a terrible disease or was overcome by evil spirits. Jesus healed her, restored her, and accepted her.
Most amazing of all, Joanna supported Jesus and the apostles “out of her own means,” (Luke 8:3). Why was this such an integral detail in Joanna’s story? Joanna had connections with Herod the Tetrarch. Her husband Chuza held an important job at the palace. He was Herod’s household manager - his right hand man.
We remember Herod the Tetrarch as the one responsible for having John the Baptist beheaded. Luke 23:11 reveals how he treated Jesus. “Herod and his soldiers ridiculed and mocked him.” Yet the wife of the man appointed to oversee his entire estate faithfully followed Jesus.
She also supported Jesus’ ministry with her family’s finances. Joanna’s role in Jesus’ ministry was a risk, but her connections to the palace didn’t deter her from her calling. She gladly risked it all for her Lord.
God rewarded Joanna for her dedication. She was among the first to see the empty tomb and learn that Jesus Christ - her Healer and Deliverer - had risen, just as he promised. Instead of caving to fear, Joanna trusted God to take care of her and her people.
God is faithful. When we feel compelled to take a risk for Him, we can trust Him with our family’s future.
Blessings,
Kristine
A portion of this devotion is an excerpt from an article by Kristine Brown, “3 Women in the Bible Who Took a Big Risk,” originally published on Crosswalk.com.