Breathing underwater has never come naturally to me…or to most people if I had to guess.
So naturally I took up scuba diving to fix that, and last month when I was invited to spend a week diving in Key Largo, FL I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to do what most people never will. Especially considering the trip was almost free; let’s just say the entire trip cost me quite a bit less than the newest iPhone.
How was I able to swing such a sweet deal? Irrelevant! All you need to know is that while there I got to dive down to an underwater habitat, the Jules Undersea Lodge, where I lived- ate, slept, and relieved myself- for a full 24 hours, thus receiving the Aquanaut certification.
That’s right, I’m basically an underwater Astronaut: far less training, far less preparation, and far less terrifying. Albeit, not completely scare free.
In order to become an Aquanaut, or Aqua”nut” as my grandma likes to call me, I had to leave the underwater habitat to partake in 1 day dive and 1 night dive. No big deal right? I mean I’m a diver so it’s nothing new.
WRONG. It is a very big deal. One of my biggest fears ever is the fear of drowning. Not to mention the first, and until this trip, last time I did a night dive I got sick and almost threw up 50 ft. underwater; the entire experience almost ruined diving for me. Needless to say, going on another night dive took a lot of internal pep-talking to find the necessary courage.
But that’s just it, most things worth while take courage.
It takes courage to dive. It takes courage to apply for the World Race. Heck it takes courage to accept the acceptance call from the World Race! It even takes courage to write this blog!
LIFE TAKES COURAGE!
Every day takes courage, and I’m never more courageous than when I find my courage in God. Check out Joshua 1:9.
Telling people I’m going on the World Race has required more courage than I anticipated. I’m ashamed to say that there have been moments when I watered down what I’m doing when people ask about it because I’m worried about their reaction, but that isn’t going to stop me from seeking the necessary courage to tell people exactly what I’ve been called to: growth with God.
Deuteronomy 31:6 says Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.
So, why dive? Why go on the World Race? Why put myself through ANYTHING that takes courage. I’ll tell you why…
Because the courage it takes to step into the water, to step out in faith, is worth the beauty found.
Before heading out on that night dive in Key Largo, my dive buddy and I were told that there were a lot of bioluminescence in the lagoon so we should turn our flashlights off, wave our hands around, and see the water light up around us.
My first thought? Hell no! This is scary enough, there’s no way I’m turning my flashlight off in that creepy lagoon… but of course that’s exactly what I did, I had to see what they were talking about.
The moment I found my courage, turned off my light, and started waving my hands around, I saw this:
Only I saw it underwater and all around my hands and arms. I sat at the bottom of the lagoon waving my finger around, “wingardium leviosa!” and the world lit up around me!
I would have missed out on beauty I’ve never seen, never experienced if I had given into my fear. How often do we cower from courage and miss out on what God wants to show us- His creation, His life, His beauty, His truth. It’s not easy. It means trusting, failing, and trying again sometimes. But let me tell you it’s worth it.
I boldly claim that following the Lord into the World Race will be worth it.
And my prayer is that I continue to seek courage in Him throughout the Race and that everyone reading this finds the courage for whatever life giving thing He is calling you to… trust me, it will be worth it. Actually, trust Him.
Love you all!
