ADVENTURE

boy did i go on an adventure today. sarah begbie, gideon teo, and myself went out to chilliwack early this morning, arriving there at 8:30am. we were looking for an adventure, to take a risk, for some thrill. and how were we going to do this?

skydiving

flying up to 3000 ft of altitude, we were essentially going to jump out of a small plane, and parachute ourself down to the ground - ALL ON OUR OWN!

when i first heard about it, i was excited to go. it was something i had never done before, never tried, and i wanted to take that risk and just do it. and then i began thinking too much. doubts entered my mind - like how it cost alot, and how it might not be worth it. but after talking to sarah and seeing her excitement, i was determined to go.

we started the morning with a lesson. we learned about how the parachute works, what we'll be doing to the exact detail, how we're going to get from plane to ground safely, what to do in case of emergencies. we practiced getting out of the plane, we practise the steps we should follow after we jumped out of the planed. we tackled tough questions and concerns/fears we had. and finally, after 4 1/2 hours and one exam, we were ready.

my adrenaline started rushing, and i was pumped, i was ready. but then we found out that the other 3 students would go first, and we would go 2nd. so we waited for them to get ready, and go up. 1 hour passed. we watched them jump out of the plane and land. another hour passed. (i began to feel a bit inadequate. would i remember everything i had learned this morning?) we waited for them to set everything up again for us. another hour passed. now it was 4pm and we were finally ready to go.

we put on the jumpsuits. we put on the parachute backpack. it was heavy and strapped tightly to my body. it strained my back and shoulders to carry it. i wore it for 20 minutes before we got into the plane. by that time my back and shoulders were so sore.

then up we flew, 500 ft, 1000 ft, 2000 ft, 3000 ft. "are u ready? i'm opening the door" the instructor informed me, who was first to jump. "climb out!" he yelled. and there i was, at 3000 ft, looking out the door, down below, climbing out of the plane. i reached over, just like i was taught, and held onto the railing. there i was, with a death grip on the rail, hanging as we flew 80 mph in the sky. after what seemed like a LONG time, the instructor finally yelled "go!".

and i let go.

for a few seconds i totally forgot everything i was taught that morning. and then everything came rushing back. arch my back. count to 5. check my parachute to see if it's ok. grab the toggles. pull down. pull up. where am i? where am i supposed to go? check radio. ok, all ready.

and then i looked around. wow. i saw mountains, i saw blue sky, i saw the farmland below me, i saw the highway and cars rushing by. i turned and saw glimpses of the ocean, the sun shining in the sky. i was flying through the air. for a minute i was able to glide and enjoy everything around me, all the sensations, the feelings.

then a voice from the radio reminded me to prepare for landing. ok, fly toward target. 400 ft made a turn. fly against the wind. feet together. and flare (pulling toggles down). and land. and the land was too hard. and fall on my butt.

and it was over. amazing. it was crazy fun. never had i done something like this. what an adventure.

and as i reflected on the day, i realized that the Christian life is like this sometimes. sometimes i lose sight of the adventure of living with Christ, and i need a good friend to remind me of it, even to challenge me to take that risk.

and before the adventure begins, i must learn lessons. sometimes it takes a long time, because there is so much to learn. during the lessons, i always get antsy. i want to jump out of the plane now! i'm ready. at least i think i am.

then the lessons end and i'm ready! but there is delay, a delay that tests my patience. and during this time, i begin to doubt. am i ready? and finally, the adventure starts, with the putting on of the heavy backpack, a burden. i carry it for a long time, and it tests my endurance and determination. but i have gone so far i will not give up. and finally, up into the plane, and i jump.

was it worth it? $150. 4 1/2 hours of lessons. 3 hours of waiting. 20 minutes of waiting with the heavy backpack on. 5 minutes of flying to 3000 ft. 5 seconds of gripping to the rail. all that for 4 minutes of adventure.

is it worth it? trials, tough lessons, failures, persecution, burdens, weaknesses, mockery... all this and more, for the life that Jesus promises.

This calls for patient endurance on the part of the saints who obey God's commandments and remain faithful to Jesus.
~Rev 14:12~