Facing fear

For years it had mocked me. That near 300 foot tall monster had gotten the best of me and my fear of heights kept me from riding. The Power Tower was my nemesis. I had conquered the 300 foot high Millenium and the 420 foot high Dragster, but for some reason, I was afraid of the Power Tower.

But Friday night that all changed. I was sent with a group of three kids because the youngest wasn't sure if he would be tall enough to ride. We knew it would be close. But when he measured and was tall enough, I had a choice. Once again, I could yield to my fear and stand there to watch them ride. Or, I could finally face my fear and ride.

I rode.

I waited in line, anxiety building in the gut of my stomach. And in a cruel twist of fate, I ended up standing in line next to a teenager who was just as afraid of me who had ridden before and expounded on how this was even more awful than the Dragster.

Then the time came. I sat down and strapped in. I thought about sitting in a chair, almost 300 feet in the air, with nothing between me and the ground but air and a restraining bar.

As we started up, something happened. My fear was fading and my awe was building. What a free feeling. What a beautiful view. And even as we shot down from the top, the rush was exhilerating.

Was I still afraid? Yes.

But I was no longer paralyzed by my fear.

Dorothy Thompson said, "Only when we are no longer afraid do we begin to live." Truth.

There is a healthy fear, a respect, that we must all have. This is good fear. Respect for things that can truly harm us. This is the fear that keeps us from doing harmful things, things that are not good for us.

But there is another kind of fear that can stop us in our tracks from doing what we should. It's the fear that keeps us from living. Fear of what people might think. Fear of what people might say. Fear of what might happen.

Jesus told his followers several times to not be afraid. He was teaching them that fear will keep them from accomplishing great things. Fear caused Peter to sink in the water. Fear overwhelmed them at the Transfiguration. The women who came to the tomb were afraid when they saw the resurrected Jesus.

The funny thing about fear is that we are often afraid of the very thing that will set us free. We allow our fear to be the lock on a door that leads to freedom.

On Friday evening, I grabbed the keys and unlocked the door to a fear that kept me from enjoying a fun ride at Cedar Point. In the grand scheme of life, that's not much to rejoice about.

But what fear is keeping you from stepping through a doorway that will lead to something much more significant? Only you know the answer and only you can open that door and walk through to the freedom on the other side.

shine!

Jason