September 2004

Ninety Miles an Hour

When my friend Jon first suggested shooting ourselves ninety miles an hour up into the sky, I thought he had gone a little loopy from the heat. Imagining myself jetting upwards intrigued me but to actually strap myself in and fly was an entirely different matter, yet he was quite serious about it. I said I needed some time to think, inside sending up a desperate hope I would run into someone I knew who could talk me out of it. As large as the Oregon State Fair was, there had to be someone out there. Jon kindly suggested we get something to eat while I thought it over. I told him that if I did decide to leave all common sense and love of life behind me, eating would not be a good idea. I knew the contraption was safe, but I was having visions of nausea for the rest of the day dancing through my head. Still, it looked like a good dose of terrifying fun and in the end, very much against my own better judgment, I said yes.

The man who took the money assured me no one had gotten sick in four years, I was sure I would be the first one and sent up a fervent prayer as they strapped us into our seats. The horn sounded as we were vaulted straight up to the heavens in a sea of blue. The wind pushed against my face with adrenaline making me aware of every limb in my body. Next to me, I could hear Jon reconsidering his decision to let gravity have complete control in not so many words as we dropped back down then shot back up. I did not understand what his problem was. By now, my grin was meeting at the back of my head and I was loving it! The tension system was so well made, I had not a drop of nausea. As we were flung back and forth between the earth and sky, I was looking around at the surrounding hills and mountains admiring their beauty and majesty. What a wonderful feeling to feel the air rushing through my hair with the ground so far below! The only time I yelled was to let out a whoop of joy! I am sure I still had a silly grin on my face as we were let down and the attendants unstrapped us out of our seats. For the rest of the day Jon and I proclaimed to each other how much fun it had been as we watched other daring fairgoers be vaulted into the sky, while commenting on the height they ascended to.

I think that sometimes life is a lot like the choice I had to make at the fair. You can either listen to an unfounded fear and protect yourself from the unknown, or strap yourself in and have faith in something new and daring. This last week I was again given this choice by a good friend of mine who has an uncanny gift for seeing inside of a person. She knew I have always held a little of me back in every relationship so there was one part inside of me that could not be hurt, a survival technique I learned a long time ago. In a metaphorical sense, God told her to go swimming for me, to pull me out of my safety boat and into the water so I was forced to let go of my control and to start fully expressing myself with those around me. Though I fought it hard, the choice was clear. I could either fear being hurt and not be fully open, or have faith that she would wholly accept me as I am, the good and the bad, and that she would help me find what needed to be corrected, while rejoicing with me in the beauty God reflected through my soul. One choice though veiled in safety, ultimately led to loneliness. The other, though scary, led to Christian love as I had never experienced it before.

Faith versus fear. It is such a common choice for each of us. How daring are we? Do we prefer to be safe in the eyes of the world or are we willing to step out and trust that God will meet us the moment we take the tiniest of steps? Are we willing to trust each other and the experiences God has for us? Are we willing to let go of the side of the boat? Yes, we might get wet and be hurt, but would we ever truly live the lives God wants to give us if we didn’t? He won’t let us drown and perhaps the pain we feel is the upturning of the soul so God can plant something new in us. The decision to start swimming with my friend and in turn, those around me, was not an easy one but it has filled my heart with peace and joyful expectation. Fear cripples the soul but a life lived in faith is a life lived in grace and wonder. I urge you the next time you have to choose between fear and faith to choose faith. Though not the easiest choice, the water is so refreshing.

In His Service,

Sarah Katreen Hoggatt

News

On September 1st, I joined fellow local authors at the Reed Opera House in Salem, Oregon to talk with the public about our books. Salem's "First Wednesday" is a monthly celebration with a different theme each month, this month's being literature. I had a wonderful time talking with the people who stopped by and sharing with them my passion for God and love of writing.

Poem

The Road of Two Seas

The road of two seas

Is a hard one to tread,

For on one is sweet terror

And on the other, you're dead.

The path between is narrow,

And slippery at best.

So one will need to choose,

To pass eternity’s test.

Which of the seas is safer

For a human soul?

Which of them holds life within

And the power to make us whole?

Do not be deceived

By what seems to be,

For neither one

Can be what you foresee.

One sea seems calm,

Controllable and safe.

The waves gently lap

Upon the shore of your belief.

But beneath the crystal green,

Is hidden a soul in need.

Knowing no full expression,

It is left to bleed.

The other sea is stormy

And difficult to view.

The rocks below lets no one know

What lies beyond the blue.

Yet, this is the sea to enter in

For in it you will grow,

Challenged by our God on high,

You will be amazed at where you go.

So choose the one

Holding faith and flame.

For within it the dawn will come

And you’ll never be the same.

The other may look kinder

But kindness is held within

The outside is only gilding

Hiding fear and sin.

Ask the Lord to guide you

As you make this eternal choice.

Fear or faith within your heart,

Pride or love to voice.

Keep Christ’s face before you,

Pray on humbled knees,

His wisdom will help guide you,

As you walk the road of seas.

Last Updated: 12/30/2011