Finding Your Way by Following Your Fear

Posted by: Thursday, February 11th, 2010 | Posted in Engaging Adventure | Author: Greg Robinson | 1 Comment »

As I looked behind me, I could see the top of the oak tree my long and slender platform extended from, shake and twist with every move I made.   Looking forward, I could see way below me the bottom of the ravine where it appeared the open maul of the earth was ready to swallow me.  I heard the metal clink as the karabiner gate closed into place. Immediately it hit me; the weight of the cables pulling me towards the edge.  The harder I resisted, the greater the tension on the swing cables and the stronger the draw to the edge.  I was faced with a decision at that point in time. On one hand, I could allow my fear to keep me frozen in place.  Although the status quo was unpleasant and unsustainable, I knew what I had there on the end of that platform.  The other choice was to keep resisting the source of my fear and let the weight of the cables do their job and pull me into the unknown where after the second or two of weightless uncertainty, I would experience the adventure of a lifetime.  I am glad I took the leap.

This same scenario could be a description of my life of faith.  I have had different sources of fear that motivated me towards God.  At first it was the fear of judgment and punishment.  I am glad that God had something much better in mind.  My experiences, both structured and planned as well as those happenstances of life, have continued to question the skewed vision I had of God.  Each time I was willing to question what I thought I knew, I discovered a clearer picture of the truth (Robinson, 2009).  What causes you fear?  Where might it seek to lead you?

One Response to “Finding Your Way by Following Your Fear”

  1. Ardelle Says:

    Greg – I like this reminder. In fact I have a notecard stuck up on my bulletin board that says, “Do something every day that scares you.” I can’t say that I follow it every day. For the most part I am not a big risk taker. But i remember the day I realized I had been coloring inside the lines my whole life in order to be safe. And at the same time realized i had missed out on a lot of life and a lot of spiritual depth. I am still not big on everyday risks, but I do (often with the help of another person) try to face my fears, bit by bit … and sometimes I find that the thing I am most afraid of contains an amazing gift.

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