DIVE ON IN

 
Many years ago a small piece of paper was given to me with this passage typed on it. The woman who gave it to me told me, “You may not understand why right now but this verse perfectly explains your life and your relationship with God. Someday it will all make sense.” This was in a time of my life when I had first really come to the knowledge of who God was in my life. I was young in the Lord so this passage didn’t make much sense at all to me. So I quickly dismissed it and forgot about it….that is until many years later on April 7^th, 2013. This is my story of adventure and revelation:
 
SPLASH!!!!!!! My body was awakened in every sense of the word as my body plunged into the freezing water that, just a few moments before, had been several feet below me. After a moment of getting over the major shock I began to kick my legs in order to swim to the surface. I could see the light and as I broke the surface I gasped for air and immediately let out a whoop! I looked up and saw my friends laughing and yelling down to me, “What the heck Marie! You are freaking crazy!” I had never felt so alive! And I heard God laughing so I smiled and I laughed with Him.

This story begins at 4:45am Sunday morning….on a usual day I would have rolled over, moaned, and pressed snooze but today was different! Today was hiking day! My adventure buddy and bestie Beth Parsons and my brand new adventure buddy Michael Vespa and I packed our gear into my little white Honda and started our journey. After a quick coffee stop and throwing in the new J.T. CD (Justin Timberlake ummm yes!) we danced and sang our way all the way to Petit Jean State Park. Our plan was to hike 12 miles through the forests of the beautiful state of Arkansas.

We finally got to the Park and we went to the guest center to sign in (Apparently you have to sign in just in case you get lost and they have to come and get you before the park closes). And we were off! Packs on our backs and sunglass savvy! We hiked on every kind of terrain you could imagine (well that Arkansas can provide). It was gorgeous! Waterfalls, forests, caves, rock climbing, open fields, cliff side trails, overlooks….amazing! We got there so early because the park rangers told us it would take us all day…well I’m just sayin’…we hiked that trail like a boss and finished it in four hours (including a lunch break that involved a hammock and beef jerky).

Waterfall

Oops…I swear I didn't see that sign…

Hammock Time

After we showed that 12 miles who was boss we hadn’t yet had enough. So we took off to a new destination in Jasper, Arkansas. Michael led us to a dirt road that was literally straight downward. Halfway down we began to notice the distinct smell of burning rubber. We came to the conclusion that it was my brakes (Oh yeah you know off-roading in a Honda…no biggie). After much sliding and much drifting down the mountain side we finally made it to the trail we had been seeking.

By this time it was about 5:30ish. The trail Michael was leading us down was only two miles there and obviously two miles back which put us at 16 miles for the day! 

This trail was a little more “roughing it” than the last one we had conquered (plus we had just hiked 12 miles already). It started out easy beautiful and amazing….and then we got to the river and Michael looked back at us and said, “Ok here is where we cross.” In my mind, “Oh yeah that’s ok I’ll just get my feet a little wet…no biggie.” Then as I was following Michael into the river I noticed with each step that he took he began to disappear…until it was about to his waist. Let’s face it my fellow short people…when you see someone who is significantly taller have water go to his waist you know you are going to get wet fo sho! I threw off my pack and held it above my head and made my way through the strong current. BEST WORKOUT EVER!!!! My legs were burning and my core was definitely engaged the whole time from trying to balance and not lose my footing. Oh and did I mention that the water was FREEZING?!?!?! Beth walked into the water and literally couldn’t breathe it was so cold! But IT WAS AWESOME! When we came to the third crossing I decided to leave my backpack behind because the water was getting to deep, the current was getting to strong, and the trail to thick. As I buried my pack along the shoreline under a pile of rocks God began to speak to me, “Dive on in Marie.”

I literally said out loud, “God you crazy! It’s almost sunset and the temperature is dropping. Yeah you crazy!” 

“Come on Marie, just do it.”

“How about I think about it.”

And then I heard Beth and Michael calling my name from the middle of the river. “I’ll get back to you on that one God.” I laughed as I began to trek through the water. It was much easier this time due to the fact that I had no pack to carry over my head.

It seemed I was able to enjoy the hike so much more now that I had no weight on my back. I was so freed up that I began to pull way ahead of my adventure buddies. When I was out of earshot I began to just chill and talk with God (You see that’s what I do when I hike…It’s my favorite times with God). I began to pray about Ou(R) Squad and God began to share His heart about my squad mates….and can I just tell you that He absolutely loves you guys! He is so proud of you and and so absolutely in love with you! He was just sharing with me how incredibly talented and powerful ya’ll are. There are a few of you that He was specifically making a point to tell me about that you are going to start believing in faith for more of His insight, power, authority, and depth….and He is going to give it to you and start using you in incredible ways…not during the race but BEFORE the race.

Anywho…I digress  After the fourth and final crossing we hiked about a quarter mile and then we came to the spot….I shall call it the spot of amazingness! We walked up to a random clearing in the forest which had a huge barn on the side of cliff overlooking the river! While my friends explored around I climbed to the top of the barn…I could see for miles and the view was breathe-taking! The mountain view was more glorious than anything I had ever seen in my life and at that moment God brought the passage of Psalm 121 came back to my mind from long ago:

 
“See Marie I’ve got ya. No worries. Just keep seeking me and that’s all you have to do and I will bring you to many more moments like this. Because that is all that matters. It may not always be comfortable in the moment but isn’t that what adventure is. Removing yourself from what is the norm. When you let things go and leave them behind and just walk and talk with me, adventure will follow wherever you go. Marie you know me…and I love that. But, girl, I KNOW YOU. And I absolutely love being with you. I love our adventures.”
 
And at that moment I wanted nothing more than to “dive on in”! When I climbed down and my feet hit the ground Michael informed us that he wanted to show us one more place: THE CLIFFS. We hiked a little further until we finally came to another clearing and came to the edge of “THE CLIFFS”. I peered over the edge and stared down into the beautiful blue (and freezing I might add) water of the Buffalo River. Michael said, “Yep this is where we go cliff diving in the summer.” My head snapped up immediately and I knew what I had to do.
 
“I’m going to jump.”
 
“What?” Beth and Michael said in unison. “Are you crazy?”
 
“Nope I have to. I really want to!”
 
“Ok I’ll show you where they usually jump.” Michael said and we began to climb down the side to a ravine about 20-30 feet above the water….as I stood on that ravine getting ready to jump, fully clothed, into a freezing river my mind said yes but my body said “H$%& no!” My body immediately reminded my mind of all the reasons of why it would be stupid for me to do this…cold, death, COLD! My mind began to agree with my body and I walked away from the edge for a moment. And then I heard His voice clearly, “Don’t think Marie! Just dive on in.” Next thing I was sprinting towards the edge and I jumped….and the rest is in paragraph one of this story! One of the best moments of my life!
 
There is a point to all of this I promise! I learned so much that day and God challenged me so I want to challenge  you:
 
First of all, get up and go on your own adventure with God.

Second, you’ve got to let go and leave it behind. Whatever it is that is weighing you down (just like my backpack). Your past, fear, doubt, pride, addictions, false religion, limiting God in your life….you’ve got to leave it on the shore line and just plunge ahead.

Third, just dive on in! It’s worth it! The depths of God’s love, power, and intimacy are waiting for you! What are you waiting for????? The fullness of God is what you really want…so why stand at the edge telling yourself all the reasons why you shouldn’t? God is saying: “DIVE ON IN”! Don’t wait…do it now!
 
My friends, become a fellow adventure buddy, God is waiting! He will never leave you! He looks out for you! Look to Him for help! The Lord is where your help comes from….not yourself or anyone else! So come on…..
 
ADVENTURE IS OUT THERE!
 
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If you feel lead to donate to my World Race (11 months in 11 countries bringing the love of God to all we come in contact with) You have no idea what it would mean to me! My goal is to be completely funded by the time I leave in July 2013. I need to raise $15,500. I have raised a little bit through support and worked hard to raise most of what I have. It will take a complete miracle for this to happen! Lucky for me I serve a God who does miracles and loves to give to His children. I need your help! Be a part of the miracle! Lives will be changed for the good on this trip (mine included ) and although you may not be able to physically go you can be a part through your giving! If you want to check out exactly what I'm doing go to www.thworldrace.org. Then once you realize how amazing this cause is you can come back to my blog: marieolson.theworldrace.org and click on the SUPPORT ME (DONATE) link on the left side of your screen. All donations are tax deductible. Then you can subscribe to my blog and recieve updates on the many miracles, salvations, and lives changed that you have helped make possible through your giving!

Love you all!

Joyfully,

Marie Olson