Whenever I go on fast rides, I always keep my eyes squeezed shut. I do not enjoy staring in the face of the unknown. Before I step onto the ride itself, I watch as other people risk their lives to experience a brief adrenaline rush and thrill of the moment. I attempt to mentally prepare myself for what it is I am about to do. But when I am buckled in “safely,” I still cannot bare to look.
This past debrief, we had the opportunity to go white water rafting on the Nile River. This day long adventure took my breath away as we sometimes flipped over in our raft, in the midst of class 4 or 5 class rapids. The funny thing is, our guide would occasionally place us in an intentional position so we would flip over…I was reminded that when I put my faith in a Guide that knows more than me, I am very vulnerable. What if the best thing for me to do is to take a risk?
After my experience flipping one time earlier in the day, I realized I did not want to do it again! I had come up under the raft, bumping my head on the seat, and found the rope on the outside to pull myself out from underneath. I was gripping onto my paddle as cold rapids swirled around me. I needed to get myself and my team into the raft as soon as possible, to avoid the upcoming rocks ahead.
At the last rapid, my guide told our raft that we had a 98% chance of flipping. I was determined NOT to do so! We made it through the last one without the raft turning over, and then as things begin to calm down slightly, he began to yell, “Jump out! Get in the water!” Confused of why we needed to get out, but sensing the urgency in his voice, I obeyed. The crew and I jumped out and he stayed in while we floated down the river for a period of time. The product of my obedience was sheer enjoyment of allowing the current of this historical Nile to pull me towards our final destination. Dry clothes, food, and bottled water awaited me on the shore!
Sometimes it doesn’t make any sense to jump.
The day after our rafting adventure, numerous people on our squad decided to go bungee jumping. I was terrified as I watched them take this leap of faith. We had quite a support system from our F-Squad, cheering on each person, along with numerous angles for cameras to snap photos and take videos.
I couldn’t help but think of Hebrews 12:1 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” I imagined the witnesses cheering us on in our spiritual journey, capturing every moment.
I also thought these people were crazy. They were putting their faith in the rope, the harness, and the gentlemen at the top of the platform…I watched and listened to others critique how they jumped off. I attempted to gage the emotions of each jumpee as they stood on a high platform.
Sometimes it doesn’t make any sense to dive…especially to the world.
The crowd of witnesses get it. They cheer you on because they have experienced it, they have been there. But jumps, leaps, and dives of faith usually seem crazy to the world.
Two days later, I decided to take a leap of faith as well.
I mentally prepared myself of the form of my dive. I would avoid pencil jumping and whiplash. I told myself over and over again that I would keep my eyes open.
I was the last person in the group of four to take a dive. When I was standing on the edge, I forced myself to go immediately after they shouted, “3,2,1…Bungee!” I did keep my eyes open. J The view was spectacular, and literally my breath was taken away!
I hope you enjoy the video of my jump as much as I did. I hope it makes you laugh…Although this girl of faith can dive, I still have some trust issues I am working on. J
Let me know which motion of mine gives it away. I would love to hear your comments and words of encouragement!
