We had just finished up our 6th month in Botswana and had decided to use our Adventure Days at the end of the month so we could take one big trip further away rather than a couple one day trips close by. Jason, Doug, and I wanted to go to South Africa, but to do so we had to once again take the 12-14 hour crammed, knees jammed bus ride from Maun to Gaborone (the capitol). It was all worth it. We got to visit Johannesburg, South Africa and enjoy the amenities once known as common but now quickly becoming a luxury. Hot showers, freshly made beds (that are comfortable), Wi-Fi, clean drinking water, spacious living area, and stores to buy just about anything that you could ever want and many more that you don’t want.
Our lives are becoming much simpler. What a breath of fresh air!
It was after this that we began our travel day to Namibia and to the 5 days of rest and processing that we call “Debrief”. God (using out faithful Logistic team) had something extra special planned for our squad for this debrief. We arrived in Swakopmund, Namibia after boarding a sleeper train from Windhoek, the experience of which could fill another blog of its own. Our hostel was right next to the beach! The air was refreshing and cool. The wind enveloped you taking you away to a place where there were no worries or responsibilities. This all provided a relaxing environment to unload all that had happened for not only the past month, but also the 6 months of the race so far.
This was a pivotal moment for all of us. We had passed the halfway point…the point of no return. But it was also a much needed realization to me. I realized that I could take this entire journey and go back home much the same as I started. The World Race will not change you. Yes, it provides an environment that may cultivate change and growth, but by itself it will not change you. You have to allow God to be at work in you. You have to step up and accept the things in front of you. You have to open up your eyes, get up each day, and say “Yes” to the Lord. Only then will the change occur. And what a blessing to get to do so on this journey around the world.
Day 2 in Swakopmund a small group of us decided to go sandboarding! The dunes were only a short drive from where we were staying and we wanted to do something crazy. So naturally we thought flying down a sandy mountain with a waxy board strapped to our feet would be a good idea. What a beautiful day it was. Since we were still close to the beach we got the added blessing of receiving a cool breeze while we were up on the dunes. I would be lying if I said I was not scared as I looked down and saw what we were about to embark on. What we were about to literally throw our bodies down. But there was something calming, and freeing that was being spoken over me the entire time: “Josh, what are you worried about? Do you not trust me? I created this world for you to enjoy and experience me through.”
Just about 100 feet down the largest slope was a ramp; more like a wooden board sticking out of the sand. It was here that I received more wisdom and freedom from the Holy Spirit. When I first saw it, I said a big, “Uh, yea, nope!” I knew my answer before I even had time to think about it. I remembered the last, and every other time I decided to hit a jump. I remember that time in High school when Greg Porter and I jumped his ramp with our bikes. That didn’t turn out very well. I remember that time I went up the quarter pipe in my brand new rollerblades. Yea, I broke my wrist in a couple places. I had my answer to this ramp. But something again started whispering, “Josh, some risks are worth taking.” At that point I saw several of the ladies on our squad take the plunge and hit it. They had not even been snowboarding before but they willing to take this risk. I decided to throw away all the fears and “what if’s” and just do it…or should I say “just dune it!”
I strapped up, got settled in, and leaned forward, setting my gaze down towards the ramp. I happened to receive instructions right before that that I should not lean too far back or lean forward too much. Great! “Ok, don’t do those things Josh.” I am not much of an auditory learner, mind you, so I didn’t comprehend what this would feel like as I am launched into the air. Next thing I know my chest slams into the sand and knocks the breath out of me.
**Here is a picture of my teammate, Jason, showing you what I was supposed to look like 🙂 P.S. Photo Cred goes to Jason!
I would love to say that I landed it perfectly and got awards and accolades for my achievement, but that wasn’t the case. The next few days were very painful. I am still feeling the repercussions of that fateful day. But longer than the pain in my body is the impression upon my heart of the lesson I learned about following God.
It may seem simple and slightly absurd to some, but I firmly believe that God was asking me to take a physical leap of faith and trust Him as I jumped over this ramp. The outcome was painful but just because something is (or may be) painful does that mean we should not do it?
“Aslan is a lion-the Lion, the great Lion.” “Ooh” said Susan. “I’d thought he was a man. Is he-quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion.”…”Safe?” said Mr. Beaver…”Who said anything about safe? ‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He is the King, I tell you.”
Just as Susan and Lucy inquire about Aslan in the Chronicles of Narnia, so the answer is the same for God and the things He calls us into. He doesn’t call us in to a safe, comfortable, and easy life. But one that is risky and crazy and dangerous and sometimes painful. But that doesn’t negate the goodness of what He desire to accomplish through us. Let us pick up our proverbial sandboards and take the leap of faith as we learn to trust Him with every part of our lives.
