am hopelessly uncoordinated. I could fill a book with humiliating tales of my athletic inadequacy. No sports highlight reel will ever feature yours truly. So, when my husband and I recently attended the Fellowship of Christian Athletes' Coaches Legacy Conference, I wondered what this scrawny specimen could learn from a bunch of burly coaches.

As I listened to these men speak, I realized they all had something in common: they're risk-takers. Many spoke of following God's leading despite the cost to relationships and livelihood. God blessed their courage in spectacular ways - sometimes in championships, but more often in changed lives.

I'm not a risky kind of gal. I prefer safe. But while being safe is a great outcome in baseball, it's not in the Christian life. Jesus was a risk-taker. He never shied away from engaging someone in relationship, even Judas, His ultimate betrayer.

Nothing is fraught with more risk than boldness in relationships! We can be hurt, offended, rejected or misunderstood. There's peril in speaking courageously for Christ. Satan wants nothing more than to keep us on the bench.

It's safer on the sidelines, but the action happens on the field. Now that's a game even I want to play.