I Did It

 Trips to McGratton Park bring new relationships and interesting experiences. The skate park was busy last night. Familiar faces showed up as well as people we had never met before. Two of those new faces included two brothers. The older is a fifth grader and the younger a second grader. Their dad brought them. The younger rode a bike. The older rode a skateboard and wanted to do the same tricks he saw the older skaters doing. 

A third new face did something last night we have not seen before. He actually took time to help the young fifth grader learn a trick called the drop in. We have seen skaters helping their peers. Most the time they tolerate the younger ones but you can tell the older skaters get frustrated when the youngsters get in their way. Let me see if I can explain the trick taught be the older skater for you. You position the tail of the skateboard at the top on the edge of a ramp. You kick the tail down so that the top of the board is suspended in the air. While keeping one foot on the tail, you step on the front of the board and drop in on the ramp riding it to the bottom. 

We have watched many novice skaters trying to learn this trick. The same thing happens every time. When they put their lead foot on the front of the board, instead of learning forward they all lean backward. This results in falling off the board backward. It is scary to learn forward. To fully commit to drop in. Fear makes cowards us many people. 

That young fifth grader listened attentively to the older skater. He tried, but instead of leaning forward he leaned backward also. Undeterred he tried again repeatedly. The older skater gave additional assistance in between his skating. 

The fifth grader mounted his board at the top of the ramp. He kicked the front up and nervously stepped onto the front of the board. He leaned forward instead of backwards riding the board all the way to the bottom. His face lit up like a Christmas tree. He started shouting, "I did it. I finally did it." Our whole table applauded which brought that youngster great delight. He did what we have seen many older skaters not be able to perfect. 

I think there are several lessons to be learned from that scene for us followers of Jesus. First, we ought to be mentoring someone in the faith. There should be someone we  need to invest our lives and knowledge about the Lord. Do you have such a person? That is the model Jesus used. He poured His life into twelve men. If we look closer, we will discover He really invested in three more than the other nine. Those men grew into maturity and changed the world in Jesus' absence. 

We need to disciple people by investing in them heavily. That takes time. It can happen organically and intentionally. What do I mean? God will naturally put certain people around you to disciple and mentor. It will be an intentional act on your part to prioritize time with that individual. This is a command. In [Matt 28:19-20] we are commanded to go and make disciples. Mentoring is one way of doing that. 

The second lesson to be learned last night, is to overcome fear. [II Tim 1:7] But God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power, love and a sound mind.

So many people are ruled by fear. I could see the fear in that young skater trying to drop in. I learned something a long time ago. Fears are often made of tissue of paper. With the courage of Christ we can face our fears and breakthrough them. Satan uses fear to paralyze us from kingdom causes. We choose to be ruled by fear or trust Jesus to rule over our fears. 

Some of the greatest God encounters will happen on the other side of fear. Like David facing Goliath. Like Israel crossing over the Red Sea. Like Peter stepping out of the boat to walk on water. Like Paul preaching the gospel, even after being beaten and imprisoned. Like many of the disciples being brutally tortured and murdered for their bold proclamation that Jesus saves. You have to make a choice. Will you allow Satan to hold you hostage with fear or will you trust Christ for courage?

A third lesson that young skater taught, is to persevere even when you do not succeed at first. I have watched many skaters give up on learning the drop in after several spills. At one point, the young skater asked another older skater to help him. The older skater commented that he had not learned how to do it himself. 

That fifth grader tried over and over again. His perseverance inspired me. He refused to give up, even after repeated failures. Oh that we people of God could learn that lesson. We give up far too easily. 

Our little group has frequented McGratton Park since November. We have not seen one person saved. Some we have witnessed to have fallen into habitual drug use and destructive behaviors. We knew from the very beginning that we would not see instant success. In fact, I would say success is that we keep showing up, and the skaters we have befriended approach us for a bottle of water and a slice or two of pizza. The gospel is presented. Prayers are offered. Love is extended. Kindness is shown. We have not given up. We must not give up. Neither should you in whatever endeavor God called you to join Him in doing. 

Finally, we should learn to celebrate the small successes of life. I will remember that young boy's face and excitement once he finally performed the drop in. You would have thought he had just won the Olympics. He stood clenching his fists and raising his arms in the air. I can still hear him saying, "I did it. I finally did it."

When is the last time we celebrated anything? A good meal. An inspiring song. An especially moving worship service.  An accomplished goal. Overcoming a temptation. Life is filled with multiple moments that should be celebrated. To look at a tree. To gaze at the stars on a clear night. To really enjoy the people we get to share life with. To actually taste and savor the food rather than wolfing it down like a savage. 

This morning I celebrated Brenda. She rolled into my arms about 3:00 a.m. I held her close. There was nothing sexual in that moment. We just enjoyed each other. We did not speak a word. We didn't need to say anything. We communicated with the heart. The unspoken language of love. A moment to be celebrated. 

I celebrate God's word. There were multiple moments when I Corinthians penetrated my mind and soul this morning. I celebrate the gift of learning how to read. I celebrate the gift of having access to the Bible. 

I will long treasure the lessons I learned from that young skater. To ask for help and receive mentoring as well as to give mentoring. To overcome fear. To persevere. To celebrate the small victories. I hope some of this will help you on your journey as well.