Jumping off cliffs!

I really believe God loves crossing our boundaries simply because He thinks it's fun. He must be sitting there with a bowl of popcorn waiting for the looks on our faces. Then He grins with a joyful smile as all our preconceived notions are shattered and He no longer fits into the boxes we have created for Him.

He set me up for one of these moments on Tuesday. The drawing above has everything to do with it.

All first year students are required to go to a "retreat" that spans 3 days. It is meant to be a time of refreshing and relationship building. Our group of about 250 descended on the "Living Waters Resort" run by YWAM in Chico, CA. I won't go into details, but in the early part of the 1900's this place was incredible: marble floors and staircases, mahogany everywhere, 25 foot ceilings, pillars, natural hot spring baths, small waterfall with two natural pools for swimming, tennis courts, MASSIVE pool, hiking trails... the list goes on! YWAM rescued it from becoming a termite mound and now uses it as a training base and for other groups who need a spiritual retreat or conference center. I LOVE IT!!!!

For the drive down I travelled with a new friend, Jack. He needed to make a quick stop at the bicycle shop which quickly steered us to one of my old and favorite pastimes, mountain biking. I puffed myself up with all my stories of bent forks, blown tires and mangled rims. Not to mention all the falls and subsequent wounds... can you hear me grunting like a cave man! Simply put, I used to ride my bike and ride it hard and I had a thing for jumps. I am going somewhere with this... be patient.

Once I arrived at the resort it was necessary to sign in. At the table I ran into one of the second year interns, Ruth. We began to talk about waterfalls and the fact that we were not allowed to jump off the one located at the resort, but she explained to me that there were a few near Redding that were fair game and relatively safe. I told her I would need to get that information since one of my favorite things to do in the water was cliff and waterfall jumping (not diving, I can't dive for a lick). She assured me that once we got back she would get me the details. She then insisted I meander through the lobby and get a "prophetic drawing". I immediately shuddered and told her honestly, "That is strange. I can't say that I'm ready for it.". She insisted I would enjoy it. I smiled insincerely.

One thing I have determined since arriving here in Redding is that I will do everything I am afraid of and would normally run from screaming. This was clearly one of those run screaming moments. It seemed so corny that I could barely bring myself to look in the direction of all those poor deluded souls sitting about 20 feet behind the registration table making fools of themselves. I felt embarrassed for them. They didn't realize they were fruit loops. They had been brain washed into this surreal culture and had been forced into unusual acts and performances for some dark master. It was upon realizing I didn't want to partake in this madness that I decided I must. What good would coming to this unusual feast be if all i did was stare at the table and wonder what those strange delicacies tasted like. It was time to try some of this peculiar bounty. I bent my will with untold amounts of, "you can do this", and strode headlong into my fear.

In this case "fear" took the face of Beatrice. A young, beautiful and timid Norwegian. Hers was the only open seat since all other 10 mystics were occupied with their unsuspecting prey. I nervously slid into the wooden chair wondering what awkward moment awaited me. Since I didn't know my role in this act I told her as much, and in her broken english she assured me I need not do a thing. I prepared myself for some strange drawing of a dove or rainbow, or maybe even a unicorn if I were especially lucky. But what happened next shocked me.

She bowed her head, said a quiet prayer that lasted no longer then ten seconds and then began to draw. The picture is the one you see at the top. It was of me jumping from a waterfall. She told me I love adventure, that I liked to do stunts on bikes and that my relationships were going to change for the better and go deeper. For someone who knew nothing of me or my conversations that day she sure seemed like she had a bead on me.

My "God box" exploded. I wasn't sure what to do. I thanked Beatrice and encouraged her that she had no idea how accurate she was. I walked over to Ruth and without speaking a word showed her the drawing. She flung both hands in the air and began clapping and laughing as I walked away with a look of astonished joy on my face. Then off to Jack, whose response was quite similar and who, in turn, made a b-line for the lobby to partake in the insanity.

He's deconstructing my walls one little brick at a time and I'm just wondering when it will be time for Him to pull out the sledge hammer and finish the job... It's coming. I'll be sure to let you know when it happens;)

Justin