I’ve hiked a little ways on a mountain in Colorado before. I don’t remember getting winded or having a hard time. Last week, I did more than hike. I stayed on a mountain. For six days. My usual 250 feet above sea level went to 9,000 feet above sea level. I realized something. It was something I had read about, and people had told me, and I knew might actually happen. But it’s different when it actually happens to you. Truth is, I think most of us tend to think we will be able to handle it. We think there’s no way it would happen to us. But y’all. My body didn’t know what to do with itself. The air was dry to my skin, but that was the least of my problem. My heart would be pounding in my chest even while sleeping. My body was having to work so hard for things that should be commonplace like walking or going up steps. After five days, I finally felt normal. I had finally acclimated.... just in time for me to leave a day later.
It was a great example of a lesson God has been teaching me for a couple years now. You see just when I get comfortable with what’s going on in my life, it’s like God brings me something else to do or handle. I used to get frustrated with it. Now, I just expect it and know that God is growing me.
I like to think of it as juggling balls in the air. I was okay juggling a couple of balls. However, God wants me to end up knowing how to juggle seven at one time. In His amazing mercy though, He doesn’t just throw the other four at me at one time. He waits until I’m good with two, and then casually throws another one at me. I struggle as I awkwardly begin juggling that extra ball. Slowly, I figure it out and before long, I’m good with the three balls. Then the routine happens all over again. God is so kind in that He usually allows me to learn to deal with the previous situation before throwing me an extra one. It’s slightly frustrating because I feel like I never stay comfortable for long, but I also know that is God’s way of getting me to be able to handle more than what I think I can. (After all, I like comfort and routine.)
I’m so thankful that God throws new things at us (or takes us to new elevations). If we stayed comfortable and where we were used to, we would never experience new and glorious things or have growth in our lives. New capabilities or new views often come with being uncomfortable. Our bodies and minds have to readjust. Growth is not always easy. But it’s so worth it. It’s worth the awkwardness. It’s worth the adjustment period of being uncomfortable.
Allow yourself to be stretched. Give God permission to take you to new heights for new adventures, even if you will need to acclimate. Give Him permission to throw you something new even if it might be awkward and you are scared you might drop it. Because you know what? You just might be able to handle it. You might finally adjust and realize it wasn’t so bad after all. Allow growth in your life. God is good at leading us into that growth and pushing us to new heights. He’s the best adventure guide.
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