I recently finished an autobiography called Mud, Sweat and Tears by the great
adventure seeker, Bear Grylls. A regular ol’ English chap, whose childhood was
nothing more than climbing trees and mischievous thrills, which no doubt became
the catalyst for some of his biggest achievements such as climbing Mt. Everest
at 23 years old, joining the 21 Special Air Service, and starring in Discovery
Channel’s “Man vs. Wild.” Needless to say, after I finished reading, I was
inspired to take on just about anything.
On my way home from school after a long day, I was feeling super hungry
and annoyed at the 10 minute walk ahead of me. Walk for 10 minutes… or run for
5? The sooner I’m home, the sooner I eat, and the sooner this day is over. My
backpack wasn’t too heavy, and the slight incline in the road dared me to try
it. After convincing myself that I didn’t care what people thought of me as
they drove past, I began jogging up the road. 2 minutes later I was dying,
gasping for air and trying to ignore the burning sensation in my legs. I was
determined to make it to the end; by now consumed in my own little world. If
only I would have known the battle it turned out to be! However, unregretful
and perhaps a bit too proud, I walked through the door of my house with a big smile
across my sweaty face. Partly driven by hunger, the other by curiosity (or perhaps
insanity), I reached my goal- and a new found respect for the man in my book.
Now if only I can learn to apply the words of the Word, and
dare to be audacious for the Kingdom’s cause; I may appear crazy, but at least
I’ll make a difference.
“But don’t just
listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling
yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like
glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget
what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that
sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then
God will bless you for doing it.”
James
1:22-25.