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
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