Years ago on a ski trip I accidently took the wrong trail and found myself at the top of a triple diamond run.  Standing at the top of what seemed like the peek of death I wondered how in the heck I was going to make it downs such a steep run.  As I was standing there contemplating my death a young boy probably 8 years old said “you’ve just got to do it!”  Needless to say that wasn’t what I wanted to hear from anyone especially a little punk eight year old! Thoughts like “you  little punk just leave me alone… What do you know about skiing… I’ve been doing this a lot longer than you… “ came to mind…You know those thoughts….
But he was right… I just needed to do it.  You see unlike that little boy my years of experiences had told me to think about all the times I crashed down the mountain, had the cold ice tear up my skin or even those times I was embarrassed that I bit the dust in front of everyone.

Today I find myself realizing that experiences in life and especially the church can hold us back from being risk takers and ultimately being everything that God desires us to be.  Often I focus on what others say I can or can’t do and  make sure that everything is completely figured out and foolproof before I even take a step… But God is reminding me that the greatest thing in life is to rely on Him more and more each day.  Psalm 39 says it this way “I can never escape from your spirit! I can never get away from your presence. If I go up to heaven you are there; if I go down to the place of dead, you are there. If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me.”  So today let me encourage you and myself to walk in that knowledge…. The knowledge that God is there to guide you and I and pick us up if we fall.  And just like that little boy I believe God is there today saying to us “you’ve just got to do it.”  So take some risks today…….