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Date: Sat, 18 May 2013 19:27:18 +0200

Quote:

http://simplynormalyouth.blogspot.com/2008/10/challenge-by-choice.html

Text:

This week I volunteered as a facilitator on the high ropes course at Menno Haven Camp and Retreat Center, one of the two Mennonite camps that our congregation supports. The course element for which I served as a belayer was the Leap of Faith. The basic task of the Leap is to climb, wearing a harness with ropes, as far as you are able up telephone pole and perhaps, after mounting the plastic disc at the top, leap off and ring a bell on rope.

Participants must agree to abide by the Full Value Contract. The contract addresses safety, teamwork, communication and growth, but the foundation of the contract is the concept of Challenge by Choice. Each person is given the freedom to assess their comfort level and choose whether or not to participate, but are encouraged to go as far as they are comfortable and then one step beyond.

One young man who was in our group let me know of a disability he has which limits his coordination and control over his legs. He confessed that he didn't think he could participate. I reminded him of the goal of getting one step beyond comfort. The young man waited till last and finally approached the ladder. Each step up was physically excruciating. It was apparent when he reached his comfort level. I reminded him of the goal and, encouraged by his peers, he went two painful steps beyond comfortable. To see his joy and to see how his peers rallied around him was wonderful.

Have there been times recently that you have reached your comfort zone

and then just stopped because to go further might be awkward or come at some cost to you? I know I have. In fact, just yesterday I was on a guided nature hike and the young man from the university who was leading the hike was surprised, in light of my plant and ecology knowledge, to find out that I was a pastor. I told him that there is a growing interest in ecology and stewardship in our congregation and that's when I hit my comfort zone. I was on the verge of inviting him to church, but froze; afraid of rejection. I went away thinking, "I should have."

The good news is that when we are "confronted by comfort" and are anxious or fearful about taking that one-step-beyond we are empowered to call on the aid of Jesus Christ. The New Testament writer Paul had some good insight about comfort zones, realizing that not only can we do hard things when Christ gives us strength (Philippians 4:12-13), but that through our weaknesses the strength of Christ is plainly shown to others (2 Corinthians 12:9).

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