This one part of the trip has really stayed with me since it happened: On the last day of rafting, part of the day was this hike that I was told was around an eighth of a mile in distance. On this hike, we walked along this really clear, beautiful river. The river was VERY cold because it was mostly water that ran off the mountain (aka-snow water!).
This hike ended at these two waterfalls that ran right next to each other with a gap in the middle. In this gap, the kids were told was a small, short place where they could jump off.
I don't know if you know this, but 7th graders LOVE jumping off stuff! So, they went straight to it. However, to get to the spot, they had to swim to the rock wall, use it to inch to and through one of the waterfalls, and eventually climb onto the place to jump. It looked easy enough as I saw child after child do it, so I decided to give it a try.
I swim to the wall and start inching to the waterfall. I get to the waterfall and look up. Water is already splashing onto the shoulders of my life jacket as I enter the waterfall.
It was not as easy as it looked.
Not only was the water freezing, but there was no gap between the waterfall itself and the rock wall behind it. I had to slowly continue to inch my way along the wall as the powerful current tried to sweep me away and I was trying to breathe as water filled my nose and mouth. To top it off, I couldn't open my eyes at all.
To be honest, it really scared me.
After what felt like a long time, the current started receding and I could open my eyes. My body felt like all the warmth had been sucked from me and I had just gone through a washing machine. My eyelids felt sore from being squeezed shut and my lungs hurt as I tried to inhale deep breaths.
But I had made it.
I climbed onto that small, short rock. I looked around for a second. Then I jumped.
This wasn't by far the most thrilling jump I did during the week, but I look back at it and deem it my favorite.
I also look back and wonder how differently it would have gone without a life jacket to keep me at least floating. As I felt the water pounding me down further into the deep, icy river, I also remember feeling the life jacket holding me up so that I could keep going.
Our speaker for the week spoke on being divergent in our faith. Being kind to those we hate, loving the outcasts, and standing out even when we'd rather not. Sometimes this divergence puts us under some strong, icy currents that try to pull us under. Sometimes it's hard to see our goal and stay spiritually breathing when pressure, bullies, or being left behind pounds on our backs.
But Jesus, our spiritual life jacket, keeps us afloat so that we can keep going! He helps us fight the pounding and chill of the world we live in so that when we see that rock we can jump and look back later knowing that we did it!
Divergence is not always comfortable. It can actually be really scary. But that jump-whether it's developing a new friendship, watching someone come to Christ, or coming to the end of your life knowing you're going to be with God-will be worth it. No matter how small that jump looks from the outside.
If we keep Jesus, our life jacket, with us we won't ever sink. God lets us know what will happen if we keep going:
"Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has
stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised
to those who love him." -James 1:12
If we keep going under those waterfalls, we'll get through it. God even tells us that He will strengthen us!
"I can do all things through him who strengthens me." -Philippians 4:13
Keep going because our heavenly life jacket has you!
One of the girls.....
Taylyr Jane
