Risk Takers

This past week, I was able to attend the Youth Ski Trip with my church. I was so happy to be able to go, even though I've never skied and would not consider myself a very coordinated or athletic type person! I wasn't real sure how I would do, but I wanted to try it. The first day, I didn't have much luck. I went as the cook for the trip and even though we had cereal for breakfast, the morning was a little hectic trying to get everything ready and put on all those clothes! I was one of the last ones out, so there was really no one to show me how to ski! A friend of ours was with me and had never been skiing either, so we just went for it. How hard can it be? VERY HARD! I crashed within the first second! I was so afraid of running into people. We didn't make it very far. By the time I got to the bottom of the little bunny slope, (which probably took me 30 minutes!), it was time for me to go back inside and start lunch! SO... I had to take the ski lift back up. Well, of course, I FELL when getting off the lift! I did go back out, but again, by the time I got back out there, made it down the little bunny hill, it was time for me to go back in and cook supper! Now, to my husband's defense, he did try to help me that afternoon. But, I just was not getting it! It was taking me forever. Then, some of the men folks came by, and I send him on his way to ski. He didn't want to leave, but there was no way that I was going to let him miss the opportunity to do some male bonding and have a good time, while I tried to figure out how in the world to make my skis stop! So, I walked back up the hill, because I was not getting back on that dreadful ski lift! For the next 20 mins I was at the top of the hill, looking at those skis and watching people and trying to figure out, "How do make them stop!" Then it was time to cook supper! So, the first day, I really didn't get to ski much and I was really thinking that maybe I just wouldn't do it again. Well, that was before we went to worship service on Thursday morning! Our pastor brought a great message to the students. He talked to them about being risk takers. He compared it to skiing and how some of us had never been on a pair of skis but that we had taken a risk and skied for the first time. He talked to them about how people settle for average, when God is wanting to give us the BEST. How we are afraid to ask God for the best because we really don't believe that he can do it. He told them to always, always, give their best in everything they did. Never never give up. To always try things and to not let fear keep them from missing the best things that God has planned for their life. He talked with them about following their dreams and desires and how when a desire is put in your heart, it is put there by God and then we have to be willing to take the risk and let God give us the knowledge and power to do what he is leading us to do. He used several different examples like, the person who invented the remote control, the person who invented the microwave, etc. Then, he showed us something in the Bible that I thought was so neat! In Genesis 4:20, he showed us the person who first invented the tent and raised livestock. Then in verse 21, he showed us the first person who invented the harp and the flute. Now, all these years later, we live in houses and camp in tents, but before that people lived out in the open. Look at the musical instruments we have today and all the different types of music that we are able to listen too. That was just the coolest thing to me. I prayed for myself that morning, that I would believe God and not live afraid to try new things, even skiing! Then I prayed for each of those students in that room, that they would grab hold of God now in their youth and never ever give up. Students today face so many pressures and have so many insecurities, it is a hard thing being a teenager. I know if we really think back, we can remember just how hard it is. Kids don't grow up and wish to be "trouble". They have dreams and goals, and somewhere along the way, they settle for average, they lose hope, they give up. I learned alot on this ski trip myself. I had one of the best times of my life and I truly love serving them. They seemed to all have a great time and everyone was so good and well mannered. Thursday night, as I skied down a green slope, there wasn't a soul in sight. I was gliding down that hill, just me and God, thankful that I had taken the risk and tried again. Thankful that I was given the opportunity to serve these young men and women. Thankful that I am able to serve a God who wants the best for me and for all of us. Take a risk, Let go and Let God do great things in your life! He doesn't want us to settle for average, He wants to give us the very best! Oh, by the way, I finally figured out how to get off the lift without falling! Have a good week!