My family and I were recently in the lovely mountains of North Carolina for Synod, our denomination's annual pastor's meeting which lasts 3 days. For the pastors and elders in attendance, those days are filled with meetings, committee updates, networking and assemblies. But for the spouses and kids, Synod is three days of fun! We wives get to reconnect with old friends around the pool, listen to inspirational speakers, play with our kids at the nearby lake, or drive into the lovely town of Hendersonville to stroll.
Now that my kids are past the age of 8, they also have the opportunity to attend a kids camp! "Campers" get to participate in crafts, nature walks, swimming, paddle boating, climbing wall, evening camp fires with s'mores, and the most coveted of all events -- the 40 ft. high zip line! Brave participants gear up with harnesses and helmets and ascend to a tiny platform for the big leap which sends them soaring nearly 200 feet! The climb up the pole begins easily, like any standard ladder, but about 2/3 of the way up, they must abandon the familiar rungs, twist slightly around the pole and ascend the remaining height via large metal "staples" not unlike those a utility worker might use. It is at this transition point that some kids decide the climb is not worth it, abandon their visions of Peter Pan, and climb down, sometimes in tears.
This year was no exception. One little boy, in particular (I'll call him "Johnny"), remained "stuck" at the transition point for nearly 20 minutes while patient instructors attempted to encourge him to either let go and be lowered down, or go for it, and keep climbing! Besides the promise of an amazing ride, he was reminded that the harness and belay held him firmly, and the instructor would not let him fall! After many tears and several failed attempts to go either up or down, Johnny finally determined to press on! Mustering all of his 8 year old courage, he listened carefully to the instructor's directions about exactly where to place his feet, when and where to reach, etc, and in a few short moments, he was at the platform and ready to zip at last! After another agonizing 10 minutes of encouragement from the platform instructor, he finally let go and slid from the platform for his epic flight over the heads of the much relieved bystanders and waiting kids below! Once on terra firma again, Johnny practically danced back to the pole, beaming with delight, shouting, "This is the best day of my life!!" High fives were exchanged, cheers and whoops were shared, and Johnny glowed with pride (and relief)!
I thought about little Johnny today and about my walk with Christ. I often feel like he did, at a transition point where the familiar and safe path gives way to the unfamiliar and risky. How tempting it is sometimes to just say, "I can't do it!" and abandon the journey. But then, what soaring experiences would I miss? And besides, like Johnny, I'm harnessed! God will not let me go! He is in total control, but wants me to keep climbing! Next time I'm at one of those places in my life, I'm going to remember that zip line and hope that I too can muster the courage to press on!
