Today I rafted the Nile River. It was beautiful and scary and fun at times, but also uncomfortable with some anxiety and did I mention scary?
Before beginning the race I told myself I wanted to be “all in” physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually this year. “All in” to me means doing things that scare me and doing things that are not comfortable, but doing things that help me to grow and cling to Jesus more and more each day. Today my team pushed me and pulled me into a raft to help me be “all in.” I am so thankful for their drive for adventure and risk that I don’t necessarily possess right now, but I’m hoping to learn from them throughout this crazy year. So Kris, Brooks, James, Derek, Amanda, and Annaka thank you for loving me enough to push me well beyond my limits and comfort zone.
Many times throughout our time on the river I thought of the story of Peter and Jesus walking on water. The disciples were scared because they are being tossed in the waves and they called out to Jesus and He came to them. Jesus came to them walking on water and He said “Don’t be afraid. Take courage. I am here.” Peter asked Jesus to prove who he was and Jesus called Peter out of the boat and into the water. Peter was scared of the waves and wind and he didn’t want to drown. “Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. ‘You have so little faith,’ Jesus said. ‘Why did you doubt me?’” Matthew 14:24-31
During my quiet time today, overlooking the river I prayed for God to help me stay in the boat on the river and He said to me “I am with you.” I also prayed and asked what if I fall out and He said, “Then I am still with you.” As we were rafting I was determined to stay safely in the boat, but we flipped twice and it hurt a little bit, but we all survived. When you step out of the boat it is scary at first, but when you are out of the safety of the boat you experience more, so much more beauty and more of Jesus.
I’m only a week into the World Race, but some days feel comfortable sitting in the boat with Jesus. Some days feel like you have been tossed out of the boat and you can’t breathe and there is a boat on top of you and waves keep hitting you in the face. And some days feel like you are out of the boat floating on your back down the Nile River with Jesus.
At one point after we flipped our raft the first time Kristin (one of my teammates) looked back at me and said “Courage isn’t never being afraid, Courage is doing something even if it scares you.” Rafting today was one of the scariest things that I have ever done. This week has been full of fear for me. I have been in a new place with new people and there were a lot of unknowns that have scared me.
But today I found my courage in the Nile River.
If you get a chance check out the song “You Make Me Brave” by Bethel Music and Amanda Cook. It’s a song that has been rockin’ my world this week!
We’re doin’ the thing!
With love from Uganda, Carson
