If you should know one thing about me, it's that I'm terrified of heights. Rollercoasters, ladders, anything that requires my feet to leave the ground's surface scares me (somehow riding planes is an exception- thankfully- as long as I stay INSIDE the operating aircraft).
As soon as my World Race team discovered this fact about me, my wonderful "brothers" particularly began to scout out any possible opportunity to help me "conquer my fears" as we traveled. I resisted and resisted the whole year, until our last month in the Philippines…
On one of our days off, we decided to go hiking in a tropical rainforest on the island of Mindanao, viewing glorious waterfalls and the incredible dust of God's creation beneath His feet. In fact, I think I might have discovered a corner of Eden that day. As the refreshing pools of water welcomed and relieved our hot, sweaty bodies, we swam into the biggest waterfall yet- and people began jumping off a nearby cliff (okay, maybe it was only 8 ft or more above the water, but for my standards, still a cliff!).
You know how sometimes, you just know without a doubt that
this is your MOMENT? Well, it happened.
I JUMPED.
I was petrified. It took many "1, 2, 3…. wait, I'm not ready!!!" moments until finally my teammate, Tyler Hamilton, came up, grabbed my hand, prayed for me, and we JUMPED!
That day stuck with me the rest of the week, the month, and today as I've returned home to the U.S. Because, that jump was more than just a one-time decision of adrenaline rush. It represents my entire year on the Race, the act of signing up for this crazy ride. When I rewind time back to the first day at Launch, as we were about to depart America to begin our journey, I realize that I did, in fact, JUMP. I just didn't know it.
By saying farewell to my family and friends, leaving the comforts of my personal space, material possessions, and more, I ultimately portrayed the jump I would not physically experience until month 11.
The jump that would seal the lasting transformation God accomplished within me this year,
The jump that would instill a lifestyle of boldness, trust, and fearless love.
The jump that WILL exemplify my devotion and commitment to do it.
AGAIN… and AGAIN… and AGAIN.
Because our very own LIVES
are meant to be driven by the dare.
The dare to live fearlessly, to run with His confidence, to, in fact,
J U M P !
