Advance!
One of my favorite family photographs was taken last year
at an amusement park while we were on our summer vacation.
We are at the top of a ride called "Splash Mountain" and the
picture is taken just as we are starting our harrowing
decent. Disneyland cleverly designed an automatic camera,
positioned at the scariest part of the ride to take a photo
of the unsuspecting riders just as they have crested a huge
hill and are about to plummet straight down. These hilarious
pictures are then displayed at the exit of Splash Mountain
and are available to purchase, which we obviously did.
I love this photograph because it is so real and
unrehearsed. Usually, when you know someone is going to take
your picture you put on a pretty smile and fix your hair,
wanting to look your best. This picture is completely
spontaneous, showing a perfect blend of joy and terror upon
our faces. It's my husband, eyes bulging, mouth open,
screaming, smiling and hanging on to me. It's me laughing so
hard I can't catch my breath and hanging on to my husband's
arms with a death grip. It's my son with his baseball cap on
backwards (so it didn't fly off) smiling, squinting,
screaming and hanging on to his little sister. It's my
daughter, mouth open, eyes closed, digging her little hands
into her brother's strong arms. And before you start feeling
sorry for our youngest, this ride was her idea. I normally
don't like being terrified, but she begged me to go so our
whole family could experience the terror together!
I look at that photograph often and I consider it a reminder
from God that I really do enjoy new and exciting
experiences. I sense the Lord speaking to me through that
picture saying "Let your life be an adventure, have courage
and embrace new experiences all the time."
There is exhilaration in trying something new. Studies show
that the mental stimulation experienced when a person, young
or old tries something new, can actually improve the health
of the brain. So often, we get stuck in the rut of doing the
same exact thing, the same exact way, at the same exact
time, everyday. And while having a routine can be a good
thing, there are those of us (I'm talking about myself here)
who can become bound to our routine as if it were the law.
I have seen the Lord move in great ways in my life when I
was willing to take few risks. And just as Jesus beckoned
Peter to step out of the boat, walk on water and come to
him, I believe Jesus beckons each one of us to step out of
our comfort zone, walk on water and come to him. We can
count on God to supply many opportunities for us to get out
of the boat and walk on water. He has provided such an
adventurous life for us if we just open our eyes to the
possibilities. But make no mistake, fear will always rear
its ugly head, screaming "get back in the boat and stay
safe!!"
Fear is that horrible, sick, sinking feeling that's meant to
stop us in our tracks, making sure that we never experience
the abundant life that Christ came to give us. Every one of
us will face the temptation to turn back, tuck tail and run
at some point in our lives. The failure is not in being
tempted to run, but in the running. I am inspired by what
Franklin D. Roosevelt said in his first inaugural address:
"So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the
only thing we have to fear is fear itself - nameless,
unreasoning, unjustified terror, which paralyzes needed
efforts to convert retreat into advance."
So, when life is feeling like you're at the top of a roller
coaster with a huge scary drop right before your eyes -
that's not the time to retreat! That's the time to advance.
That's the time to put a big smile on your face, scream if
you need to, hug those you love and advance! Advance and
enjoy!!
Paula Friedrichsen
pjfministries@hotmail.com
Paula Friedrichsen is a Christian speaker and newspaper columnist from Mammoth Lakes, California. Her seminar, "The Abundant Life" is a three-fold teaching designed to lead people into greater fulfillment - spiritually, physically, and relationally. To find out more about this seminar or other topics that Paula presents, visit her website at www.pfministries.com or call 760-935-4295
