Death-Defying-Life-Leaps
"Then the Tajar tried new ways of amusing himself. He thought and he thought. He thought of several ways, but they were not good enough. Finally he thought of a perfectly new way; and he said, "I know what I will do; I'll take Death-defying-life-leaps through the branches."
When I was a camper, getting out the camp trunk each season to start packing was an exciting event! My mom and I would tape the packing list to the inside of the trunk lid and check off each item as I brought it out – middies, socks, bathing suits…one by one, we would cross them off the list. As my interests at camp evolved, so did the gear that I brought…hiking boots, kayak skirt, dry top. While going through that list of packing items, my anticipation of the thrilling activities of the summer would build, until it was finally time to load the car and head for the North Carolina mountains.
Soon all of our 2015 campers and counselors will begin this yearly packing ritual, and as you prepare your packing list for this summer, I want to challenge you also to prepare your mind and your heart to tackle something new. Preferably something that scares you a bit. Take a cue from Tajar and commit to saying “yes” to your very own death-defying-life-leap!
Whether we are campers or counselors, Merrie-Woode provides us with an inexhaustible list of new ways to challenge ourselves: rock climbing, whitewater paddling, singing in front of an audience, spending a night sleeping in the woods, learning to ride a horse, signing up for a hike outside of Camp, teaching in a new activity area, leading a campout. Adopt the attitude of “What would I do if I knew I could not fail?” and take a leap into the unknown.
At home we develop routines in our everyday lives, and we often perform these routines without much thought or reflection. Unless we make a practice of purposefully seeking out new challenges, we may find ourselves going months without trying anything new. At Camp, we are fortunate to have a variety of new experiences offered to us each day. Merrie-Woode provides a safe environment to try activities that we do not readily encounter in the outside world. With a well-trained staff supporting us in a new challenge, we can push ourselves beyond our previous limits and experience the satisfaction of conquering our fears.
On many occasions while sitting in the pool above Nantahala Falls, I have simultaneously felt both dread and excited impatience to start my course through the rapid. Even though I know that there is no way I would miss an opportunity to run the Falls, I still feel a twinge of fear before peeling out into the current. Nothing, not even that brief moment of fear, compares to the exhilaration I feel looking back from the bottom of the rapid and knowing that I made it! Not only did I run the Falls, but I conquered the fear that almost made me miss this incredible experience.
Beyond a sense of accomplishment and a growing self-confidence, there is also a spiritual dimension and purpose to succeeding in a new challenge. It is not by accident that we have been directed to Merrie-Woode. It is part of our preparation for lives of service. God’s word tells us that “to whom much has been given, much shall be required.” He does not call us to live life in our comfort zone, but directs us to lives of courage so that we can achieve great things in His name.
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10
Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9
God wants us to know that when we face our fears, we do not do it alone. He will be there with us.
Each year, campers reenact the story of King Arthur’s knights in Follow the Gleam, connecting the physical experience of camp to the spiritual experience. We hear the stories of the knights’ quest for the Holy Grail and the challenges that each one faces during his search. Their quest is a symbol to us to follow the best that is within our hearts, and we are inspired to dedicate our own lives to service. While we may not realize it in the midst of a rapid, up on the rock, or in the middle of the stage, each time we accept a new challenge and overcome our fear, we strengthen ourselves to answer God’s call to a life of service.
My own return to Camp to join the Senior Staff required a Tajar-like leap of faith. Though it meant a transition from a career of 10 years, proximity of many dear friends and family, and the familiarity of my hometown, I feel a clear call to dedicate the next three years of my life to the preparation of Merrie-Woode’s Centennial Celebration and the establishment of a well-constructed framework for its next one hundred years. As with the mix of fear and excitement I felt above Nantahala Falls, the anticipation of achieving these goals, together with the joy of being back at Camp, greatly surpasses any hesitancy about the life changes involved in the move.
The important thing is not what specific challenge constitutes a death-defying-life-leap to us individually. The important thing is that we tackle and embrace the feeling of overcoming fear. Once we have done it a few times, then we will really have the confidence to soar. No matter what the situation, we will treat each challenge like a new death-defying-life-leap: taking AP Calculus – bring it!, living in a foreign country – let’s go!, starting a company or a non-profit – oh yeah, I’ve got this!
Don’t let Tajar be the only one brave enough to swing for the highest tree branches this summer. Embrace the challenges offered to you at Camp, knowing that you have the support of Merrie-Woode’s knowledgeable staff and the reassurance of God’s presence behind you. You will find that the death-defying-life-leaps are the most significant moments of your life.