Taking a Risk

According to Wikipedia Risk is the potential harm that may arise from some present process or from some future event. In everyday usage, "risk" is often used synonymously with "probability", but in professional risk assessments, risk combines the probability of a negative event occurring with how harmful that event would be. Financial risk is often defined as the unexpected variability or volatility of returns, and thus includes both potential worse than expected as well as better than expected returns.

25So we all agreed to choose some men and send them to you with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul— 26men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27Therefore we are sending Judas and Silas to confirm by word of mouth what we are writing.
-Acts 15:25-27

When we follow Christ we take a risk. Not a risk of whether we are “right” or “wrong”, for following Christ is “right”. Rather we take the risk of being either accepted or rejected by the world. Rejection is the more common theme and it is foretold to us. When we choose Christ we are in conflict with the world.

Often, taking a risk means that there will be a great reward if successful, but may mean great pain or punishment if we fail. However there is no failure in Jesus Christ, but there is rejection. Not by God but by those who stand opposed to him. Many apostles and disciples over time have followed Jesus without reserve and ran the risk of punishment from the authorities and others who were against them. Many were severely punished, sometimes to the death. Although we may be persecuted for our faith we have a God who will reward us…

16Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
-2 Corinthians 4:16-18

What is more important to you? Temporary, fleeting pleasure & satisfaction or an eternal glory?