In 2005, a struggling artist, David Choe, was asked to paint murals on the office walls of a small start-up business in California. When it was time to get paid, he was offered the choice between $US60,000 or shares in the company stock. The man was broke, desperately needed the money and thought that the concept of the company was ridiculous. There was no guarantee whatsoever that the shares would ever have value or that the company would ever amount to anything. Yet he was a bit of a gambler and chose the stock as payment. He risked it all.

It took several years but eventually his risk was rewarded. That company was Facebook. And those once-worthless shares would later be valued at $US200 million. For those wondering, this is a true story. The murals are still there! “They carved the walls out and they shipped them to every single Facebook office in the world — so they’re everywhere now,” Choe said.

I’ve always loved stories, especially true ones. But my favourites are the biographies of early Christian pioneers and missionaries. I have already shared several with you. It’s incredible to read about the trials they went through and the persecutions they endured, simply for standing up for their faith. Being a Christian meant risking their families, their jobs and even their lives. Yet they were willing to risk it all for Jesus. And this is not just a long-ago part of history. Even today, people around the world are being discriminated against, threatened, and even killed.

When was the last time you took a risk? Where is the risk in Western Christianity today? We no longer have to worry about being thrown to the lions or burned at the stake. However, there is a new danger we should be worried about: complacency. What is complacency? There are several possible definitions but ultimately it means choosing the easy option because you’re afraid to leave your comfort zone.

There are numerous stories of missionaries who have left their comfort zones and made great sacrifices for their faith throughout history. Here are two notable examples:

Jim Elliot and Nate Saint were American missionaries who, along with other missionaries, sought to evangelize the Huaorani people in Ecuador in the 1950s. Despite initial friendly encounters, they were tragically killed by members of the tribe they were trying to reach. Their deaths became a powerful testimony to their commitment to spreading the Christian faith, and their story has inspired countless others to pursue mission work. Despite the initial tragic outcome, their story did not end with their deaths. The widows of the missionaries and others continued their work, eventually establishing relationships with the Huaorani and seeing many of them come to faith. The story highlights the perseverance and sacrifice that can be found in missionary work.

Gladys Aylward was born on February 24, 1902, in London, England. From a young age, she felt a strong calling to serve as a missionary in China. However, she faced many obstacles along the way, including her lack of formal education and financial resources.

Despite these challenges, Gladys Aylward’s determination led her to work as a housemaid to earn money for her journey. In 1930, at the age of 28, she finally managed to travel to China as a missionary. Upon her arrival, she settled in the city now known as Yuncheng.

Gladys faced difficulties in adapting to the Chinese culture and language, but she was passionate about sharing the Christian faith and helping others. She learned Mandarin and began serving as a foot inspector, ensuring that the practice of foot-binding was prohibited in the region.

One of Gladys Aylward’s most remarkable contributions was her work in rescuing orphaned children. During the chaotic period of the Sino-Japanese War (1937-1945), many children were left without parents or homes. Gladys took it upon herself to provide care and protection to these vulnerable children, establishing an inn for travellers called “The Inn of the Eight Happinesses.”

Gladys faced numerous challenges in her efforts to save children. On one occasion, she embarked on a dangerous journey to rescue 100 orphans from a city threatened by the Japanese army. With great determination and perseverance, she successfully led the children through treacherous mountain passes to safety.

In addition to her work with orphans, Gladys Aylward also served as an unofficial “foot inspector” for the government and worked as a nurse and midwife. She gained the respect and admiration of the local Chinese community for her selflessness and dedication to their well-being.

Gladys Aylward’s story gained international recognition when it was recounted in the 1958 film “The Inn of the Sixth Happiness,” starring Ingrid Bergman. The film brought attention to her incredible journey and the impact she had made in China.

After spending many years in China, Gladys returned to England in 1948 due to health issues. However, she remained involved in missionary work and continued to share her experiences and inspire others through speaking engagements and writing books.

Gladys Aylward passed away on January 3, 1970, but her legacy lives on. Her story serves as a testament to the power of determination, faith, and compassion in overcoming obstacles and making a positive impact on the lives of others.

There are countless others throughout history and around the world who have dedicated their lives to sharing their beliefs with others, often facing immense challenges and hardships along the way.

Sharing Jesus is the biggest risk you’ll ever take. And although you may not see its fruits until heaven, it will be your biggest reward. Not just a David Choe type payout, but all the riches of the immensity of eternity.