Is risk right?

We live in a risk averse world, that's why we have insurance for everything, be it travel, contents, buildings, car, health, whatever. Its why we have risk assessments and health and safety training courses and all those are well and good and serve a purpose. But what about when it comes to the gospel?

I've decided that I am risk averse. Yet the Bible in contrast gives me pictures of people who took risks because they trusted God and the gospel was their greatest treasure. Moses leading the people of Israel was a risk, Joshua as he takes on Moses mantles risks, the prophets risk for God's word and his people. Move to the New Testament and you cannot move in the gospel for risk; Jesus risks as he speaks, as he confronts the Pharisees, as he calls the twelve, as he goes to the cross. Then Peter is another who risks as he steps out of the boat onto the water, as he blurts out you are the Christ, as he sneaks into the courtyard after Jesus arrest, as he goes to Cornelius' house.

I've been looking at Acts 13:1-2 today and it is rife with risk. There is Saul/Paul and Barnabas who risk by going to Cyprus and to the Gentiles, leaving a church where they have been teaching the people, presumably well received (c/f 11:19-30), for a whole year. Going to the Gentiles when surely Saul was better suited to go to Jerusalem, but going to where there would be cultural barriers to overcome and difficulties to face because of God's call and the gospels drive.

Then in the same two verses there is the risk of the Church at Antioch, S/Paul and Barnabas are two of the five prophets and teachers of that church and yet when led by God they set them apart and "sent them off." That is risk, sending your best people to evangelise and plant churches.

The challenge as I've looked at it is; do I take risks as the gospel calls me to or am I content to be comfortable? My fear is that if I am comfortable the gospel isn't driving me hard enough out to others. Am I praying for God to show me what he would have me do for his kingdom? Am I ready to risk for the gospel?