Last Saturday, I was given the opportunity to go zip lining over a 150 foot waterfall. Later that day, we found out there was an option to see the waterfall from a different perspective…in it!
A guide led us down a slippery path of mud and rocks to the bottom of the waterfall. We climbed over boulders, jumped off of the boulders and then scaled a wall leading us to the first cave. After soaking up the beauty of being behind the enormous wall of water, the guide motioned for us to move on. For the next leg of this adventure, we were told to grab a rope and follow where it led. I couldn’t see what was below or above me. The person in front of me was out of sight and I realized my only option was to go. And it was at that moment when I realized that I had developed an unsettling fear of drowning ever since my white water rafting stint last year.
When I was in the cave, nothing in me wanted to move on. But I pressed on and didn’t let my fear rule and it was totally worth it.
Peter had to make the same decision when Jesus was inviting him out onto the water. He could have stayed in the boat, remained safe and Jesus wouldn’t have loved him any less. But he also would have missed out on the incredible experience of walking on water!
I think sometimes people are a little harsh on Peter for starting to doubt Jesus when the wind picked up. He got out of the boat when no one else did and in his moment of weakness, Jesus saved him. Not only did he get to experience the adrenaline rush of walking on water, but he also got to feel the firm grip of Jesus’ hand preventing from sinking.
For the past couple of months, I have felt God calling me to something beyond my comfort. He is calling me out of the boat to walk with him.
For a while, my fear of “drowning” was consuming me and preventing me from being obedient. But I would rather start to sink and be pulled out by Jesus than never leave the boat in the first place.
So, that being said… I AM SQUAD LEADING AGAIN IN JANUARY.
I am not sure of the details yet and I’ll have more information later, but after spending December home I will be heading back out onto the field in January. I am excited to see what God has for me in my next season of squad leading.
The last few months of leading have been some of the best times of my life. To walk along side of D squad while they experience more of God is totally a gift. I don’t know how else to describe it.
Along with another round of squad leading comes another round of fundraising (here comes the trusting God part). Please consider partnering with me during this next season that God is leading me to.
If you feel led to support me, click the “support me” link on the left.
To donate by mail, checks can be made out to Adventures in Missions with “Erin Hogan” on the memo line. They can be mailed to:
Adventures in Missions
PO Box 742570
Atlanta, GA 30374-2570.
