Last week I was in Seattle with family visiting my wife's brother Travis. We spent one day in Mt. Rainier National Park, surrounded by some of the most beautiful scenery I've ever seen.
We must've stopped a dozen times to take pictures, and we hiked down several short trails. About halfway up the mountain we hiked down a trail overlooking a beautiful waterfall. We got there at just the right time so that the sun was hitting the waterfall and causing a rainbow to appear in front of it. Again, B-E-A-UTIFUL!
As stunning as the view from the overlook was, Travis and I decided that we wanted to BE down there, at the base of the waterfall, so we proceeded to take a (for me) crazy hike down the ravine and across the river, moving from boulder to boulder to get across it.
I don't usually do stuff like this, and it was a challenge, especially the river crossing. But what a thrill! And I can promise you, when we finally reached the base of the waterfall, it was AMAZING, and so worth the effort it took to get there.
It made me think - when was the last time I've really challenged myself? Not just physically, but when it comes to life in general, and even in youth ministry. So often we avoid challenges because of fear, but if we never face the challenge we'll never reap the rewards. We could have stayed at the overlook, but we would never have reached the base of the waterfall, and enjoyed the view and the feeling of success.
What are some challenges you're facing in YM that, for whatever reason, you're avoiding? What would happen if you met them head on and saw what God wanted to do in and through you as you overcame them?
The view just might be worth it.
We must've stopped a dozen times to take pictures, and we hiked down several short trails. About halfway up the mountain we hiked down a trail overlooking a beautiful waterfall. We got there at just the right time so that the sun was hitting the waterfall and causing a rainbow to appear in front of it. Again, B-E-A-UTIFUL!
As stunning as the view from the overlook was, Travis and I decided that we wanted to BE down there, at the base of the waterfall, so we proceeded to take a (for me) crazy hike down the ravine and across the river, moving from boulder to boulder to get across it.
I don't usually do stuff like this, and it was a challenge, especially the river crossing. But what a thrill! And I can promise you, when we finally reached the base of the waterfall, it was AMAZING, and so worth the effort it took to get there.
It made me think - when was the last time I've really challenged myself? Not just physically, but when it comes to life in general, and even in youth ministry. So often we avoid challenges because of fear, but if we never face the challenge we'll never reap the rewards. We could have stayed at the overlook, but we would never have reached the base of the waterfall, and enjoyed the view and the feeling of success.
What are some challenges you're facing in YM that, for whatever reason, you're avoiding? What would happen if you met them head on and saw what God wanted to do in and through you as you overcame them?
The view just might be worth it.
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