Morning Watch Monday: Conquering Fears

Every weekday before the wake-up bell rings in the summer, you will find a group of campers, counselors, and directors, with eyes struggling to stay open from a mixture of morning sun and fatigue, walking the grounds of Falling Creek. We gather for Morning Spark at “The Goody Shack”, named after longtime Falling Creek Program and Staffing Director, Jim Goodrum. Morning Spark is a time to open up the Bible together and have a conversation around who God is and what we think He is saying. It is a simple, wonderful, inspiring way to begin the day.

On this particular day, my friend John Allen (Assistant Adventure Director for 2023 and 6 year camper/5 year staff member) was the chosen staff member to lead the conversation. John talked about how God did not design us to experience life trapped in fear and worry, but that “He came to give us life to the full!”. John then asked us if there was anything we had been wanting to do at camp, but had been too afraid to try it. He invited us to consider conquering a fear that day, knowing God is with us.

“This is for the campers…right, John? Not for me… right John?”, I thought to myself. Yet as we walked down the road together afterwards, I reluctantly confessed the fear that had been burning in me for the past year: “John, I want to try to roll a kayak, but I’m afraid I won’t be able to, and will be embarrassed.”

It felt good just to say it out loud, but that wasn’t enough. I tried to make jokes about how I don’t have what they call “a core”, or that I’d never seen actual muscles anywhere near my stomach. He gently laughed but then said, “Well, I don’t know if you can or not, but it looks like today is the day to try”. I knew he was right.

That afternoon, the instructors were busy taking campers through “preps” to get them prepared and qualified for further adventures in the camp session, when I made my way to the docks. I leaned against the Yak Shak, laying low and observing, staying out of sight. Suddenly the instructor Max Feild yelled, “Uh-oh Sloan, you getting in?!”. I responded with, “maybe in a bit. I’m going to watch first.” That’s when our “Greybeard”, the experienced, wise sage John Burton, (who just so happens to be a former Olympic paddler) called to me from the water. “Get in. Let’s do this.”

Olympians. #amirite

Before I knew it, they had squeezed me into some rubber-type corset they call a skirt, fitted me with a lifejacket, found a boat that could handle me, threw me a paddle, and off I went into the lower lake. I was a good swimmer, but was feeling nervous already as I could sense the eyes of other boats watching. In my mind, the whole camp was gathering at the shore to laugh at me…I’m a touch dramatic. As I spiraled on my insides, Max and John both pulled their boats up next to me and began to skillfully give me instruction. They not only showed me what to do, but they actually did the kayak roll themselves. First Max, tipping his boat upside down, then back upright. Then John, over and back, smoothly. Olympians (#amirite). Then, it was my turn.

Encouraged by their example and assured by their presence, I tipped the boat over, and… couldn’t get it back upright. They had trained me on how to get out of the boat if I needed to, and boy did I need to. I wanted to quit, but Max and John got me right back into the boat, and stayed with me until I was eventually successful. I couldn’t believe it! A big fear was conquered that day, and it wasn’t nearly as bad as I had imagined. I was thrilled, invigorated, and I wondered what else might be possible for me.

John Allen, Max Feild, and John Burton. These three men gathered around me that day to guide me, encourage me, remind me, and assure me of more than simply rolling a kayak. They reminded me that the God who made me is patient and gracious with me. We are made in the image of a God who gets fired up about taking risks and conquering fears. He made us to enjoy that experience because He LOVES to share His Joy with us.