6 After spending eight or ten days with them, Festus went down to Caesarea. The next day he convened the court and ordered that Paul be brought before him. 7 When Paul came in, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him. They brought many serious charges against him, but they could not prove them.

8 Then Paul made his defense: “I have done nothing wrong against the Jewish law or against the temple or against Caesar.”

9 Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, said to Paul, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and stand trial before me there on these charges?”

10 Paul answered: “I am now standing before Caesar’s court, where I ought to be tried. I have not done any wrong to the Jews, as you yourself know very well. 11 If, however, I am guilty of doing anything deserving death, I do not refuse to die. But if the charges brought against me by these Jews are not true, no one has the right to hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar!”

12 After Festus had conferred with his council, he declared: “You have appealed to Caesar. To Caesar you will go!” Acts 25:6-12

Paul could have resolved his conflict with the Jews at a lower level court but he knew the accusations would continue long after the trial was over. He took a calculated risk in going to the highest level possible. Caesar could rule against him, and he could not appeal to anyone if that happened.

It also gave him an opportunity to preach the Gospel to Caesar. This is exactly what Paul was on earth to do at that time. No one else had such a skill set and temperament. He also acknowledged that he could be put to death if he was found guilty.

As we grow older we tend to minimize our risks. We like to play things safe. There’s no need to rustle feathers unless it’s absolutely necessary.

There’s something the Lord would have you do this week that will take a risk that’s a little beyond your comfort zone. Take it. Stretch that risk muscle