Step
Out of Your Comfort Zone
By
Paula Friedrichsen
One
of my favorite family photographs was taken
last year at an amusement park while we were
on our summer vacation. We were at the top of
a ride called "Splash Mountain" and
the picture was taken just as we were starting
our harrowing decent. Disneyland cleverly designed
an automatic camera, positioned at the scariest
part of the ride to take a photo of the unsuspecting
riders just as they crest a huge hill and are
about to plummet straight down. These hilarious
pictures are then displayed at the exit of Splash
Mountain and are available to purchase.
I
love this photograph because it's so real and
unrehearsed. Usually, when you know someone
is going to take your picture you fix your hair
and put on a pretty smile, wanting to look your
best. This picture is spontaneous, showing a
perfect blend of joy and terror upon our faces.
My husband's eyes are bulging and his mouth
is open in a scream as he hangs on to me. I'm
laughing and hanging on to my husband's arms
with a death grip. My son is wearing his baseball
cap backwards so it wouldn't fly off; he's smiling,
squinting, screaming and hanging on to his little
sister. My daughter's mouth is open; her eyes
are closed and she is digging her little hands
into her brother's strong arms. (And before
you start feeling sorry for our youngest, this
ride was her idea.)
Every time I look at that photograph, I'm reminded
that God has created us for new and exciting
experiences. Through this picture, I sense the
Lord saying, "Let your life be an adventure,
have courage and embrace new experiences all
the time."
It's
exhilarating to try something new. Studies show
that when a person of any age tries something
new, the mental stimulation can actually improve
brain health. Many people get stuck in the rut
of doing the exact same thing, the exact same
way, at the exact same time, every day. And
while routine has its benefits, it can also
hinder us from being open to new things.
I
have seen the Lord move in exciting ways in
my life when I was willing to take few risks.
Just as Jesus beckoned Peter to step out of
the boat, walk on water and come to him, I believe
Jesus beckons each one of us to step out of
our comfort zone and walk by faith. God provides
each of us with many opportunities for us to
get out of our boat and walk on water. Life
can be a continual adventure if we open our
eyes to the endless possibilities with God.
But
make no mistake, fear will always rear its ugly
head, screaming at us to "get back in the
boat and stay safe!!"
Fear
is that horrible, sick, sinking feeling that
can immobilize us and prevent us from experiencing
the abundant life that Christ desires for each
one of us. Each of us will face the temptation
to turn back, tuck tail and run at some point
in our lives. The failure is not in being tempted
to run, but in the running.
I
am inspired by what Franklin D. Roosevelt said
in his first inaugural address, "So, first
of all, let me assert my firm belief that the
only thing we have to fear is fear itself -
nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror, which
paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat
into advance."
So,
when you feel like you're at the top of a roller
coaster with a huge scary drop right before
your eyes - that is not the time to retreat.
That is the time to advance. That's the time
to put a big smile on your face, scream if you
need to, hug those you love and advance into
the new adventures that God has in store for
you.
Paula Friedrichsen is a dynamic Christian
Speaker and newspaper
columnist from Mammoth Lakes, California. She
has developed “The Abundant Life Seminar”
to educate and inspire women toward greater
fulfillment – spiritually, physically and
relationally. To schedule her for your
upcoming conference / retreat, or to learn more
about this presentation (or
other topics Paula speaks on) go to her website
www.pfministries.com
– or
call 760-935-4295.
Do
you know God personally? Read:
Peace with God
