TITLE: Courage to Risk By Kelli Young 05/04/06 |
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
SEND ARTICLE TO A FRIEND |
Courage to Risk
When faced with the opportunity to conquer a ropes course, I took the challenge. Although I was forty-two years old, I was preparing to do the most physically daring thing I have ever done. Had I taken leave of my senses or was I ready to risk beyond my comfort zone?
Not just anyone could sign up for the “Ransomed Feminity”conference. Only through a special selection process could one be chosen to attend. I put my name in the drawing and prayed, “Lord, You know that I can not continue to walk in the ruts of duty and obligation in my relationship with You. I am certain there has to be more, and I believe going to this conference may be part of it.” I had a peace within that He would answer me. When I received my letter of acceptance, I knew that God had destined me to be there.
On the opening night of the conference, excitement filled the air. We were welcomed and told we would have the opportunity to pick activities to do after lunch each day. I had already decided to go horseback riding. Apparently, God and I did not agree.
The day for signing up arrived, but I quickly found out that riding horses was not in my budget. It cost thirty dollars, and that was the sum total in my pocket to last for the remainder of my trip. I decided instead to attempt the ropes course. How hard could this be? I can do this, no problem. I paid my ten dollars and signed on the dotted line.
The air was crisp and clean as I walked to the designated area on the map for the ropes course. I was thoroughly enjoying my stroll in the lush green mountains. I then turned, crossed over a wooden bridge, and headed up a hill. Before me was a sight that caught me totally off guard. My heart began to race. This can’t be it! This is a zip line. I recognize this from my kids’ camp pictures. I’m out of here. What was I thinking? I can’t do this. The voices in my head were overwhelming, yet curiosity drew me up the hill.
When I arrived at the top, women, mostly college age, waited in line. They were jibber jabbering and I was panicking.
“Are you going on the course?” one of them said.
“I did sign up, but after seeing what I am up against, I am not so sure,” I replied. I desperately wanted to be able to do this, but how could I? The young ones were telling me it was a blast, and I could do it. I continued to battle the voices in my head, but then I heard another voice, you are tired of playing it safe. You know you want to do this. Go on take the risk.
With much apprehension, I moved closer. Each person had to wear a helmet and a diaper harness. I shook, as I put on the gear, trying hard to ignore the butterflies going crazy in my stomach.
I could see women up ahead as a young man coached them through the process of preparing to make the jump. Everyone went down in twos, as teamwork was required to complete the course. A woman named Linda was my partner. At least she is about my age. We quickly made our introductions, talked briefly and then our turn arrived.
As each pair of women jumped in front of us, we moved closer and closer. I felt like the cowardly lion ready to make a run for it, but now I had a partner who was counting on me. It was too late to turn back now.
The coach called for the next pair. He tethered us to a cable. My heart pounded and I felt like I might pass out. As we lined up for the jump, all I could see was this heavy cable going all the way down the mountain. Help me Jesus! My heart cried. Throwing all caution aside, we jumped. “Wow, what a rush!” I said as we landed safely in a net. I was ready to do that again until I saw what was before me. I thought this was the end of the thrill, but I was wrong! Someone reached down to help me up to a platform that must have been forty feet in the air. I had completely blitzed that this was a ropes course. This was only phase one of the exercises, with two through six remaining. I felt myself begin to panic again. I had no choice now but to face the remaining obstacles before me and I do not use that word lightly.
“Oh my God, I have just agreed to Fear Factor and Survival all rolled up in one.” My knees were trying to buckle underneath me. My partner and I were again connected to a cable overhead to ensure that if we fell, it would not be more than a couple of feet. That didn’t really offer a lot of comfort at this point. We each took hold of a single cable in front of us and inched our way slowly across on tight ropes. At one point, we lost our balance, and I nearly went over. We regained our composure and continued on, crossing over single logs, split rails, and a rope bridge, making it to the final challenge. The final leap placed us on a platform. If I had known in advance that I was going to have to jump off this into thin air, I would never have done this. I was in shock and disbelief!
“Is this a joke,” I said to the coach waiting for me to jump. “Where is the ladder for the chickens like me? You can’t be serious, I can’t jump!”
“You have no choice. There is no other option. I will count to three, and then you will jump together,” he said as his voice indicated he was growing impatient.
“Ready? One, two, three, jump!”
I jumped and screamed “Jesus” all the way down. If this was going to be my last word, I wanted it to be a good one. In spite of my fears, we landed safely. The ropes course challenge has taught me so much about God that I needed to learn. The joy of following through to the daring finish of this adventure continues to inspire me.
What a perfect picture of the adventure of walking with Christ! I love how He set me up with an adventure that would enable me to see that walking with Him is to be full of daring and challenging experiences. The Lord is fun and creative and loves to show us He is multi-faceted and interesting. Up to this point, the religious box I had Him confined in, caused me to believe He was boring and repetitious. Through His choice of activity for me, I came to see Him as vast and incredible; in a way I haven’t before in my twenty some years of serving Him. I am grateful He put a longing in me for more and that I allowed Him to challenge me out of my own comfort zone. The box is disintegrating and I am eagerly looking for Him in fresh ways.
The Lord had quite a sense of humor to go out of His way to send me on a journey I didn’t believe I could do. I thought I was too old and I was afraid I could not do something that required that kind of physical strength and coordination. He showed me His grace is sufficient and the things He calls us to do will be bigger than our ability. If we can do something in our own strength, how will He be glorified? The Lord is looking for those who will risk and trust that He will bring them through. The destiny He has for each of us is full of adventure and the promise of His ability to complete each task. It is time for us to take that daring leap of faith and trust Him with our whole hearts.
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.