A message from Communications Coordinator Melissa Reinert...
I can’t swim.
Yes, I’m 38 years old and I never learned. Living in the city with little money and extremely overprotective parents growing up, learning to swim was an opportunity that never crossed my path.
I admit, as I got older, splashing in water wasn’t an activity I was particularly comfortable with. So, I never learned. It never seemed to be an issue until last week. I learned that we were going kayaking for a Lord’s Gym Ministries team building exercise.
“That sounds fun,” I thought. Then I remembered. I can’t swim!
I let our executive director know right away. And, although I was nervous to be on the waters, I didn’t want to miss this opportunity to grow with my team. So, I made it clear that I was still willing to go.
I wasn’t really nervous until the shuttle van ride up to the launch point. I guess it was then I had some quiet time to really think about it. And think about it I did.
“What if we capsize? What if I fall out just trying to climb in (I’m not the most graceful of movers)…” the doubts soared.
Still, I was determined. Not because I’m brave, mind you, but because I was wanting to meet the challenge. This year we’ve been focusing on our culture and part of that has been discussing how we meet challenges that bring us outside our comfort zone.
In ministry, if you aren’t pushed outside of your comfort zone more often than not, I think you might be doing something wrong. Come to think of it, this really applies to all Christians, because our entire life is or should be a ministry.
To calm my fears, I responded by giving them to God. I asked the Lord to be with me – all of us – and keep us safe and allow us to enjoy this exercise. Whenever I feel anxious, I always go to Isaiah 6:3, “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” I just keep repeating over and over, “perfect peace,” and I’m at rest.
Let me tell you, once we launched, I discovered a new happy place. The scenes were breathtaking. The activity, challenging but fun and worthwhile. It was a very wonderful day, probably one of the best I’ve ever had with my team. I loved every bit of it. I’m so glad I went.
And, I’m not sure when I’ll get the time, but I’m planning to learn to swim. It’s another challenge I need to meet outside my comfort zone.