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Written by Ryan Showalter
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I could feel the hot sun on my forehead as I dried my sweaty hands on my shorts. My heart pounded so loudly I thought for sure all my friends could hear it.
“Are you ready?” they shouted. “Don’t be a chicken.”
“I’m not afraid,” I replied. I was hoping they would be just as convinced as I was trying to make myself. I was a little scared as I looked down the hill of the driveway, across the street, to the ramp on the other side. My neighbor’s driveway was the best place for ramps. It had a natural hill and the landing was in the grass, just in case our landings were not as grand as our imaginations.
The butterflies in my stomach were part excitement, part fear. This could be the best, or the worst, decision of the summer. I tried not to think too much. Instead, I let go of the brake and stood on the bike pedal to put all my weight into it. Pedaling as fast as my little legs could go, I raced down the hill and across the street – and for a few short seconds, I was flying.
Resolutions, and dreams, are always bigger than we are. We don’t resolve to be something we already are. We strive and long to be that which we are not. We dream to fly, to do that which we have never done before. Change means giving up what we are to become what we could be. It’s those butterflies in the stomach, the pounding heart that says, “This is going to be the best day of my life, or my biggest mistake.” That is what it means to risk, to change.
You may wonder if I landed safely on my bike that day, but that’s not the point. The point is that I had the heart to risk it. Just like me as a little boy on my bike, Peter as a grown man had to decide if it was worth it to trust Jesus and get out of that smelly fishing boat, and walk on water. I’m sure Peter felt those same butterflies. That boat wasn’t nice and it didn’t smell good, but at least it was familiar. Yet Jesus challenged him to come.
For 2007 we’ve adopted the theme, “Got the heart?” We’re challenging young people to walk as God’s ministers. Will they grasp for the American dream, or will they have the heart to serve God?
As you see "Got the heart?" materials from us this year, encourage the young people you know to serve. Many of you had a life-changing missions experience, and know how it affected your priorities. Share your experiences with young people, and let them know that it’s worth it.
What about your life? Now that you’re back in your home culture, will you continue to risk “all that you are” for “all that you could be”? Will you dare do something for God that would actually cost you something - your money, your time, your identity? Have you got the heart?
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Positions Available
Join StaffX at the Harrisburg Discipleship Center to grow spiritually and in leadership skills as you mentor and serve others. Current volunteer staff openings: Community Outreach Coordinator, Mission Mobilizer, Office Assistant, and Prayer Coordinator.
Contact Sherrie Ober if you are interested.
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