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I have been a religious subscriber of Fast Company for many years now, and recently ran across an article which described the likes of David Kelley.  David Kelley is the founding architect of the design firm Ideo.

The article is a must read!

The article brilliantly and tantalizingly lays out several tidbits, as we (for a moment) get to peer closely into the life of David.  You will learn about…

…a recent personal challenge

…design thinking

…redesigning organizational cultures

…’taking a step back before forging ahead’

…and much more!

Take the time to read the article in FastCompany, here.

What were your thoughts about the article?

N.T. Wright has written some amazing books in recent years.  I was thinking a lot today about a quote from him, as I enter, along with you, a new year…a new chapter…a new story, if you will.

Hopefully it resonates with you, as it has with me.

“Most people want to wake up in the morning with a general at the foot of their bed saying ‘Go do this.’ The problem is there’s somebody at the foot of their bed saying, ‘Once upon a time.’”

Life can be risky.

Recently I gave a message at The Orchard, where we grappled with this idea that our…

…faith walk can be risky

…trusting can be risky

….loving others can be risky.

A little recap on what I talked about:

1.  As a player in the Game of Life, we have POTENTIAL

Each one of us has been wired with potential.  Each of us have been uniquely created by God with passion, creativity and desires.  You see, to believe that He has made you uniquely (ie: Psalms 8: 3-5), and with a distinctive touch, is to celebrate the uniqueness of every individual life.  In other words, in the vastness of God’s creation, your birth and your reach IS  something unique.

2.  Getting in the Game requires RISK

This year, as we enter the game to pursue a life bigger than ourselves.  Some of us have dreams inside that are bigger than ourselves.  What we discover in the game of life is that we cannot live a life worth dreaming about unless RISK is involved.

It is interesting how we talk about faith, as though it is the elimination of risk, rather than the promise of it.

I think people have this notion that when they become a follower of Christ that the game of life gets easier (brotha please!)…that it is devoid of ambiguity…void of uncertainty.  How can we think that faith is the opposite of ambiguity or that faith is the opposite of uncertainty or that faith is the opposite of mystery?

We looked at 1 Samuel 14…where Jonathon picked a fight with the Philistines.

3. The Game is not OVER

Sometimes we get stuck in a moment. A moment where we fail.  A moment where we are disappointed.  A moment where we are wounded, hurt or betrayed.  A moment were we betrayed, hurt or wounded.  Sometimes we get stuck in a moment.

Some of you might have failed, blown it, and you’ve made mistakes.  You have a feeling of inadequacy and tremendous guilt.  I would submit that there is this thread throughout scripture that suggests, THE GAME ISN’T OVER.

This year, as we jump into those places and spaces that God moves us into…how are we going to risk more?  God invites us on this journey filled with risk…but…but…in the midst of that opportunity we have an opportunity to experience hope, joy, love and a full life!

I wonder if your most significant moment was waiting for you right now and you recognized that faith was now translated to courage, guts, risk, and even danger…what choice would you make?  Maybe it translates to one final word…TRUST.

Helen Keller once said, “Life is either a daring adventure, or it is nothing.”

Are you going to jump into this game of life?  Are you going to allow disappointment, hurt, wounds and suffering to deter you from risking more?

Maybe God’s words for us this year is simply…

…IT’S YOUR MOVE.