One of my fondest memories was when, in the summer of 2005, I participated in the stage edition of Fear Factor at Universal Studios Florida. Myself and five other men were chosen from a large group of hopeful contestants to participate in this forty-five minute show. With safety harnesses in tow we went to the top of a three story set. The first elimination round was simple. Hang on to an inverted V-shaped bar for the longest amount of time. The first two to drop where out and the last one left hanging could pick his partner for the second round. To my advantage I was the youngest, but to my disadvantage, I was the heaviest. Also, I have a desk job and I was going up against a cop and a former FBI agent. They have to be in shape for what they do. I just have to sit and listen to people; a job that is not very conducive to upper body strength. Those facts aside, the task was simple. So I made sure I treated it that way. When the platform dropped out from underneath me, I held on. That’s what I was told to do. I didn’t think about the 1000+ people below. I didn’t think about who had/hadn’t dropped. I didn’t listen to the obnoxious announcer. All I had to do and think about was, “Hang on.” Then, when gravity did what she does, my hands slipped off. I was the last man hanging and I got to choose my partner. Unfortunately, throwing and catching dead octopus carcasses while you’re swinging from a rope isn’t as easy. Oh well.
We often make things too hard. We often let the noise of our lives interrupt what we’re supposed to be doing. We think too hard, do too much, and neglect what really matters. The Bible tells men to love their wives (Colossians 3:19), it tells women to love their husbands (Titus 2:4), and it tells children to obey their parents (Ephesians 6:1). This stuff isn’t hard, but the ingredient that is often missing is a relationship with our Savior. Session after session with adults and children I see how much Christ could change them. I know how much He affects my life every day. If you’re struggling, some time spent in prayer and deep soul searching can do wonders.
