I went down the body slide at Carowinds amusement park.
No inflatable tube to sit in.
Just my body and the slide.
And, my body didn’t slide onto the slide.
There was a platform to stand on. The door closed. Someone pressed a button, and I was dropped onto the slide.
But, before they closed the door, they informed me that the cotton t-shirt I was wearing to cover my rolls – it had to be removed.
So, let’s recap.
- Body slide. No tube.
- Sports bra and stomach rolls.
- A floor that drops out from under you.
I’ll Go Last
My husband went first. Then, my 7-year-old daughter. When my daughter went, everyone peered over the top of the stairs to see her come out on the other side. When we saw her, we cheered!
And then, it was my turn.
Honestly, I wanted to chuck up the dueces and run away shouting, “I’m good,” but, I couldn’t walk away knowing:
- Two courageous souls were waiting at the bottom for my body to shoot out of that slide – one of those souls being 7 years old!
- I’d miss an opportunity to be brave.
- This would be an adventure we’d remember forever.
- I’d feel like a sucka.
So, I stuffed my shirt inside my shorts. Stepped inside the tube. Crossed my arms, and hoped to die. Just kidding. I crossed my arms across my chest. I crossed my feet at the ankles. The door closed and I took a deep breath, waiting for the floor to give way.
Clang! (Bottom falls out…)
Whoosh! (I’m sliding…)
I did it.
I’m okay now.
I can’t see.
Can I move my arms to wipe my eyes?
I’m doing this!
Am I going to drown?
I don’t have on a shirt.
I can see the light.
I’m almost to the end.
(Sees sunlight & family walking towards me)
OMG! I made it out alive!
The Exhale After Obedience
Why did I tell you this story besides the fact that I wanted you to know how incredibly awesome I am?
I’m sharing this story with you because I want you to know that your most memorable moments live right on the other side of fear.
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:9
I’m not trying to over-spiritualize the body slide at Carowinds. But, I am telling you that fear can keep you from the most amazing experiences of your life.
Can you imagine how Moses must have felt when he crossed the Red Sea? (Exodus 14:10-13; 22-31)
Can you imagine how Esther must have felt when the king agreed to see her? (Esther 4:9-16; 5:1-6)
Can you imagine how Jehoshaphat must have felt when his enemies killed each other and his soldiers didn’t even have to fight? (2 Cor. 2:1-30)
There was probably a little boot-shaking as they said, “Yes”. But, in the midst of their fear, they still trusted God to be who He said He is and do what He said He would do.
Their obedience gave God an opportunity to show Himself faithful and He showed up and showed out.
Go Scared
Many times we want to go into the situation with boldness and certainty, swag on ten and feeling like “the (wo)man”.
But, God tells us to GO when it looks bleak, when we’re trembling and wanting so badly to run in the opposite direction.
The truth is, when we feel like we got it under control, we’re not as careful. We become casual, comfortable, and reckless.
Can you remember the last time you were home alone and felt afraid? Did you double check the locks and chains? Did you make sure your phone was charged? Did you peep in on your babies?
What about the last time you drove in the pouring rain? The kind of rain where your windshield wipers are maxed out, the radio’s turned down, you’re sitting straight up and could kiss the kind soul in front of you who turned on their hazard lights…
When we need God to act on our behalf, we’re more alert, we call on God, we listen and we obey.
We walk like a newborn giraffe in the beginning, but when God shows up and wrecks the place, we strut like Denzel walking away from an exploding car.
So, what’s the play call?
You know the quote: “You have to do something different if you want to see something different?
It’s real.
What got you here can’t take you there. And, when you get there, chances are you are going to find out you have to take your shirt off and the bottom will, in fact, fall out from under you.
My question to you is: What are you willing to do to be who God has created you to be? Are you willing to step out of your comfort zone? Are you willing to go if the person before you turns back? Are you willing to be embarrassed?
The decision you make at this juncture is everything.
Remember, confidence comes after obedience.
See you at the bottom – shirtless and unstoppable!
