This
past July, my nine year old, adrenaline-junkie daughter and I couldn't resist
going zip-lining down Marble Mountain near Corner Brook, NF.
Its advertised to be one of the highest zip courses in Canada, spanning a small gorge and waterfall. We took ATV's to the top, then zipped down nine lines to the bottom.
What a blast! Here's some of what I took away from the experience
Research – Get the Facts Straight
The
guides started by explaining safety procedures, the specs of the ropes and how
the trip would look. We'd jump, and they catch us on the other end.
Don't twist the double ropes. Don't hang onto the ropes. Do
enjoy the ride.
Before
we jump, we need to start by gathering the needed information. Don’t let
emotions alone be the guide. Let’s
make sure we know and understand as much as we can before we make the jump.
Faith
Despite
everything our guides had said, we still had to make the choice whether to
believe them. Did the folks who built the course know what they were
doing? Thankfully, one of the
guides, who were both bigger than me, went ahead first. If the lines could hold
the him, they’d probably be ok with me.
It
works that way with our faith in God too - at some point, we have to look to
those who have gone ahead of us: the writers of scripture, heroes in the
Church's history, mentors, loved ones. Looking at their example will
build our faith. Others have trusted him and thrived; we can too
Jump – Take a risk
I
heard the instructions; I saw the guide cross. Now I had to jump. Despite
everything I just said above, there was still a moment when I had to will
myself off the platform and over the gorge.
The
reward was massive! A beautiful view, a total rush.
Once
we've done our research and had our faith strengthened, its time to jump. God
will often ask us of things that stretch us out of our comfort zone. We
know with our head they're important and good, but we still have to make the
choice to…
…
JUMP!
Enjoy the trip
As
we stood overlooking the gorge for the first time, I said to my daughter
"Would you like to go first?" It was code for "You go,
I'll follow." Yes, I can be a wuss. Not surprisingly, she
passed it back. A little banter and we agreed to take turns going first. I
took turn one. Then she took turn two. Then I went. Then she
did, again. And she did again, and again! It was so much fun, she went
first almost every time.
Once
the trip was started, we were having so much fun I didn't want it to end. Then
I caught myself beginning to dread the end, and suddenly the trip wasn't fun
anymore. "Just be here and now," I heard the wind say,
"enjoy this gift."
So,
I chatted with the guides and heard their stories. I got my picture taken
over the gorge. I repeatedly came in rear-end-first to the next platform,
a sure sign that my backside is more aerodynamic, the guide explained.
So
much can distract us from the joys of right now. Sometimes we need to
just be here.
Laugh at Yourself
We
arrived at the last run of the course. I'd been following all the
instructions the guides had given at the top. Now, there was one more.
"At
the bottom, listen to what the guide says - its really important for
stopping." Ok, deal. And off I went. Faster and faster -
this was by far the longest and fastest line.
Then,
the guide waiting at the bottom yelled "pull the break!!!" as his
hands pulled down on an imaginary rope near his head.
"Brake.
Brake?!
What
brake?!?!" I panicked, just before my rope slammed into a series of
springs that diffused the speed.
Of
course, there was no brake.
Sometimes,
we'll misunderstand, or make a mistake. I have a bad habit of taking
myself too seriously when that happens. My wife is a good antidote to
that affliction. I'm learning that it’s important to learn what I can
from my misunderstandings, and be prepared to laugh at myself.
