Not A Ninja
With summer quickly coming to an end, our family recently spent an afternoon at a family fun park. I was expecting to see go-karts and bumper boats and arcade games, but I was surprised to also see a ninja warrior course. Granted, it looked rather simple compared to what I’ve watched on TV. But still, there it was, right before my eyes. I was strangely intrigued by it. I watched. I studied. I started to think maybe I could do it. This was strange because I’m not exactly in the greatest shape of my life, I don’t consider myself a risk-taker, and I am certainly not one who thrives as the center of attention.
We participated in some other activities, but something about that ninja warrior course kept drawing me back. I really wanted to try it, although I had no idea why. At the same time, I spouted off all the reasons I shouldn’t try it: I’m not wearing the right shoes. I’m too old! I haven’t worked out in way too long. I do not want all these people watching me! What if I make a complete fool out of myself?!
At the urging of my kids, and my husband signing the waiver on my behalf (waiver? maybe it’s not so simple after all!), I took my place in line. With my family cheering me on, I began to tackle the course. My first misstep was already in obstacle #1, but I quickly recovered and continued on to the second obstacle. I made it through, but stumbled hard at the end as I tried to regain my footing. I pulled myself up obstacle #3, and then after overthinking the fourth, I fell not so gracefully into the mat below. I heard the shouts of my family still rooting for me, and I knew it wasn’t over just yet – I had two chances to run up the final wall and hit the light that would brilliantly flash and declare me a winner.
Just as I lunged forward to leap onto the wall, one foot, then the other, I rolled my ankle and smacked the wall with the side of my body, forcefully bringing me to a halt. Giving no thought to my ankle and trying to maintain bladder control while laughing so hard, I made another attempt to scale the wall…to no avail (shocker, I know). Ninja warrior I am not.
Here’s the thing though: my biggest fear was realized – I had just made a complete fool of myself. But I was still standing – well, until I doubled over in laughter. But I tried. I stepped out of my comfort zone. I took a risk. I didn’t complete the entire course as intended, but I had fun. I laughed – hard – something I realize that I don’t do often enough. I learned some things I’d have to do differently next time…and crazy as it sounds, I would try it again.
Let me encourage you with this: Sometimes it’s really good to try something that surprises even you! Don’t be afraid to break out of the box others have built for you. This is your course, not anyone else’s. You may stumble at times. You may need to pull yourself up now and then. You might overthink things. It’s possible that you will hit some walls and have to start over. That’s okay. Keep listening to your people cheering you on. They are for you! Don’t worry about the others who are watching you. They might even be encouraged by your audacious confidence. It’s also possible that you will get stronger, bolder, and quicker to try the next time an opportunity presents itself. And for cryin’ out loud, don’t take yourself too seriously. Give yourself room to laugh – laughter that makes your stomach hurt and makes the tears roll down your cheeks.
It’s not likely that I will ever be a ninja warrior. And I’m completely at peace with that. I’m content to simply run the course God has laid out for me, experiencing and growing through all the obstacles that make up this crazy, beautiful life. And I can do that because He has already declared me a winner.
Keep training. Keep trying. Keep listening. Keep laughing. God’s not done yet. Live out loud. On purpose. With zeal. Maybe not a ninja, but certainly lotsa charisma!
