Fear is such an interesting feeling to possess. It has the ability to make you do things you never would have dreamed of doing, or prevent you from action just the same. As children, we have a fear of the Boogeyman or the darkness down the hall. For me, one fear I've always had was roller coasters and heights. It all stems back from a time when I was much, much younger at Kings Island with my dad, Mark. We were having a great time riding rides and enjoying an awesome day when we approached a particular roller coaster called The Racer. Due to our impatience, we got in the shorter line, not noticing the warning sign. The line was to The Racer, yes, but there was a reason it was short. It was the line where the cart went…backwards. Although the hill is not huge, as a young child, racing down a steep hill backwards was enough to keep me away from roller coasters the rest of my life.
As we get older, our fears change to less tangible things. Fears such as loneliness, commitment, or failing plague people everywhere. Initially, upon receiving news that I was accepted to The World Race, I was afraid. Leaving the country, leaving my family and friends, leaving my parents, and leaving behind all that is comfortable. Making a change, or a leap of faith, is a scary thing at times.
During these moments of fear, however, God is there all along. The thing that brings me peace is what I am not leaving. I am not leaving my Father's side, no matter where I go. Even in the valley of the shadow of death, He is there. His love and presence makes fear run and hide. Deuteronomy 31:6 reminds me that God "will never leave [me] nor forsake [me]", and even during moments of fear, He delivers peace. As one of my good friends, Joel, said recently, "in my bad days, I know I can always bank on You."
For some reason, I included "Ride the Drop Zone" on my Bucket List. For those of you who do not know what the Drop Zone is, it is a ride at Kings Island that sends 40 passengers up 26 stories before dropping to a free fall that reaches speeds up to 98 feet per second. That. Is. Scary. And probably a dumb move on my part to include on my Bucket List. On Friday night, I went to Kings Island with a group of friends. Well aware of my Bucket List, and fear, they insisted that I scratch Drop Zone off the list that night. Before I knew it, I was strapped in. Ascending up higher, and higher, and….higher, my anxiety increased. Once at the top, I opened my eyes and saw the beauty of the surrounding area. And then I was dropped. Quickly. Screaming. And even though it was absolutely terrifying, the fear was gone.
Sometimes the best way to conquer a fear is to, well, face it.
I can't wait until July 1, 2012.
With love and continual prayer,
Mitch
