Take the Risk

By Robert Harden, D.Min.
Dean of Harrison School of Graduate Studies
rharden@sagu.edu

Richard De Voss is quoted as saying, “The only thing that stands between a man and what he wants from life is often merely the will to try it and the faith to believe it is possible, that is, the spirit.”

Where would the nation of Israel have been if David had not taken the risk and faced the giant Goliath?

What would the world be like today if we had not taken the risk and entered into World War II? Why did you take a chance and spend four to five years in college? How would your life be different in five years if you completed your Master’s degree?

It has been said, “The road of success has many tempting parking-places.” We do not want to camp on our past successes; we want to pursue further ones.

To take risks, one needs courage. A church never builds a new plant without taking a risk. A man or woman seldom succeeds in life without taking a risk.

People tend to love the familiar. The comfort zone so often has a numbing effect on our lives. Pursuing a graduate degree will definitely challenge you! The pursuit will make you uncomfortable at times. It might even sharpen your worldview. When asked about his attempt at a baseball career Michael Jordan said, “I can accept failure, everyone fails at something; but I cannot accept not trying.” Do not let the fear of failure or risk keep you from attempting graduate studies, no matter how long you have been removed from your previous school experiences. I had the privilege of watching a retired missionary in her early seventies come back to our campus and complete her undergraduate degree and then go on for her Masters!

It is never too late to try.