Here goes EVERYTHING
This weekend was my last weekend mixing for Chosen 2010. We were at the second weekend of Penndel Winter Retreats at the Philip Bongiorno Conference Center. It was a weekend of memories for me. Memories of Penndel events from the past, people including students I have met and talked with, leaders I have learned from, and media nerds I have been blessed to work with, and great times of music, teaching, worship, and seeking God with everything and through everything.
This weekend, the Youth Alive missionary for Penndel, Jason Lamer, told a story that impacted me. His story went something like this… There was a man who got on a plane. He sat back and thought about where he was going and anticipated where he was going. Or at least, where he thought it was going. During the flight, the voice of the pilot came over the loudspeakers saying that the engine of the plane was on fire and that all the passengers of the plane would need to put on their parachutes and prepare to jump in order to save their lives. The man on the plane was afraid and upset and as he prepared for what he had to do in order to survive, thoughts were running through his head. He was thinking, “this is not what I had planned”, “this is not what I wanted”, “why does this have to happen?”, “this isn’t my destination”. And as he stood on the brink of jumping, he took a deep breath and said, “Here goes nothing!”
.
On that same plane was another man…another man who was eager and excited simply to be on the plane. He was prepared for anything and was willing to go wherever. He wasn’t afraid. Sure, he had a destination in mind but he wasn’t hesitant to change direction if he was called to. When the voice of the pilot came over the loudspeaker explaining that the engine of the plane was on fire and that everyone would have to put on their parachutes and prepare to jump, he leapt into action. He grabbed his parachute and was first in line. Thoughts were running through his head too, but they were quite different then the other man. This man knew that this is not what he had planned but he was willing to change and do what was necessary. No, it was not what he wanted, but it was what had to be done because he was commanded to do it. I am sure he did not understand why it had to happen, but instead of being afraid of stepping forward and taking that jump, he was excited by it. No, it was certainly not his destination, but he was thrilled that he was going to jump in spite of circumstances that may have not seemed ideal but ultimately, was the best thing to do. And without hesitation, that man with the wind blowing in his face, leap out of the plain and shouted, “Here…goes…EVERYTHING!!”
The first man was more concerned about where he was going, then the ride along the way. He was caught up in his own plans and life and what he was going to do rather then an experience that could change his life forever. It certainly may not have been what he wanted, but it was necessary for him at that moment in time. It was necessary for him to jump. It wasn’t all for nothing; it was all for everything
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