Try Something New - Part 2

Being willing to try new activities when competing requires guts, a sense of humor and a “can do spirit.” I had the privilege of running sprints at TCU and when our 400m hurdler blew out his knee – I got the call from coach … “Johnny, how about running the 400m hurdles?” It was optional, but I took the challenge, and it was one of the toughest things I’ve ever done. I wasn’t smooth or pretty going over the hurdles, but I could catch up or outrun in between them. I hurt all kinds of body parts and when the season was over,
 
I missed making nationals by 1/10th of a second, major bummer – it was my senior year. I had to do a real attitude and heart check, ouch.
Why are we so reluctant to compete in new venues? We risk looking bad, performing poorly or even being rejected by not even being able to perform. So what’s the big deal? The big deal is being fully alive as you stretch yourself, contribute to a team, and develop new skills ...including character. (Moms, dads, do be patient and understanding as well as encouraging and supportive.)
 
This aligns with our Camp heart beat of encouraging campers to get out of their comfort zone and into their stretch zones. Stretch zones are where learning takes place. We are passionate about building “champions and warriors” (not necessarily the winner of an event) on and off the fields, courts, and tracks through our encouragements and examples. 
 
I love scriptures in Philippians that remind us to “Press on” (3:14) and that “God is at work”  (1:6; 2:13).  How can we not embrace 4:13, “I can through Christ,”?  Finally, everything does come down to purpose so like coach Paul (2:16) “hold fast the word of life … do not run in vain.” 
So........ on your mark, get set, GROW! Okay, okay, you don’t have to be a runner, but you do need to try new activities (Don’t Waste Fun). Go for it, you might just like it!