A group of friends and myself hiked about 45 minutes to this small lake. On the start of this hike, the sky ripped open and poured out large raindrops the size of oversized gum balls. This is a dangerous thing, I must confess - Hiking in the Rain. The ground was mostly rock, and we were hiking somewhat upwards in these rocky hills.
The pinnacle of rain came when we got to the top of this large rock at one of the highest points when we were hiking. As we climbed to the top of this rock, our arms couldn't stay at our sides, the rain washing away parts of my heart that needed cleansed and refreshing. It was a physical rain that felt like it hit more than the skin of my hands and face. This rain entered into my mind and brought me to the next chapter of something new that I know God is doing.
We arrived at a small lake and jumped in, swimming to the other side. Pulling ourselves out of the water we proceeded to scale this 35 foot cliff. This is all scary in a swimsuit. I assume it is just as nerve racking when in much more than a swimsuit, but the cliff scraped up the hands and legs a bit.
I reached the top where we were supposed to jump off into the water, and my heart rose to my throat and fear snaked through my entire body. More than anything I did not want to jump. I convinced my friends that I did not want to die that day, and climbed back down, a few more scrapes from the rocks from the ascent. I watched all four of my friends jump, one after another after they each conquered their fears. I watched as they let go of everything and released themselves to the flow of gravity.
To sit by and watch is what I did.
Until.
The coaxing of my friends brought me to be determined to do what I was afraid to do. I climbed to the top once again.
I looked to leap.
Several times I almost jumped, then stepped back, swallowing my anxiety.
I can do this, I can't do this, I can do this, I can't do this, I can I can I can...
In one moment I propelled myself into the air and felt gravity go to work. I thought in that short fall that I should sprout wings and fly.
The water came around and pulled me from any thought of flight, and I pushed myself up towards the surface. I had jumped into a pool of coffee and come up fully caffeinated with adrenaline.
I had to begin to swim or else I would go to the bottom.
There was relief washing over me as I treaded those waters.
Taking a leap of faith. Swallowing fear to really jump into it, not knowing what the landing will really bring. Not knowing that once I do land in the waters, I will have to learn to swim and work and tread the water. Taking one propelling leap changes everything. Or you can climb back down the cliff and go back through the waters which you came and stay the same.
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