Push Past the Fear

Last week, I went on a much-needed vacation with my sister. I am incredibly grateful for the time I got to reflect and reset, but I am even more grateful that God will use what sometimes seems like the most random moments to speak to us.

Most recently, He pointed the mirror at me when my sister and I went bamboo rafting in Jamaica for the first time. It was easily one of the most thrilling experiences of my life. The thought of floating down a river with two other people on a 30-foot raft made of sticks was absolutely terrifying.

It was the security of my life jacket and our conversation with the raft captain that managed to put me at ease. As he rowed us down the beautiful Martha Brae River, taking in the lush green scenery, we learned that he’d been transporting people on his handmade bamboo rafts for thirty-nine years.

When we finally settled in about mid-way through our ride, our guide invited us to take our life jackets off. My sister immediately removed hers, but I laughed and kindly declined. Despite his reassurance that I was in good hands and the knowledge that he had been safely rowing people down the river way before I was even born, my vest was not coming off.

Once my sister’s jacket was off, he took it to the next level and reached out for her and slowly helpedher to her feet. Step by step he walked with her until she made her way to the front of the raft until she was able to stand alone. As I snapped photos of her, I admired her bravery, but my fear eclipsed any and all excitement I could have had in that moment.

Unsurprisingly, a few minutes later, he invited me to do the same and again, I kindly declined. But this time, I could feel the regret slowly building up in my heart. As our guide continued to steer us, I sat quietly, and thought to myself, “was I really going to miss out on such a beautiful opportunity because of fear?”

As our ride went on, I noticed how at ease my sister was and as we neared other rafts on the river I noticed that most of the other passengers had abandoned their life jackets as well. Yet there I was sitting in fear, mild regret, and a puddle of my own sweat with a life vest that I could barely breathe in.

Nearing the end of the ride, my guide turned to me one more time. He said:

“You put your faith in a pilot to get you where you are going, so you can put your faith in me too. I’ve never once had to make a call to a mother to tell her that she’s lost her child. You will live a long, full life.”

Though he did not realize, in that moment he ministered to my entire soul. It hit me like a ton of bricks. This man has thirty-nine years of experience. He has a perfect track record. He hadn’t given me any reason not to trust him the entire ride.

Hesitantly, I took my life jacket off and finally I could breathe again. Once again, he extended his hand to me. Still terrified, I took his hand and step by step, one foot in front of the other, he led me to the front of the raft where I was able to stand alone (knees shaking and all).

At that moment I was reminded of how scary it can be when God presents me with an opportunity to do something new.

Now, if you’re anything like me you feel the safest when you color in the lines. You stay by the shore even though you see how much fun people are having on the deep end. As “go with the flow” as you want to be sometimes, security matters most, and stumbling is frightening to you.

My natural reflex is to resist the “new” and keep a “life jacket” on but in doing so I’m admitting to not completely trusting God to be God. Sometimes doing what feels most comfortable and staying in a familiar place can act as a barrier to experiencing the beauty and joy that God wants to show us.

As we push towards the last stretch of the year, when God stretches out His hand to you, take it. He is the most experienced guide in the universe and knows the currents of your season much better than you do.

His track record is perfect and there’s no twist or turn in your past, present, or future, that He can’t maneuver. If He’s gently nudging you to try something new, consider saying yes this time. He knows what He’s doing.

Don’t allow fear to rob you of the incredible view God is trying to show you. His hand is steady and He’s faithful to walk with you.

The reward of sitting in comfort is, well, comfort. But the reward of taking a step in faith is greater faith and the chance to see God do something you’ve never seen before. You might even end up with an incredible story to tell.

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

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