Two Relient K posts in a row? Yep, here it comes. Their new album Collapsible Lung came out this week. Long gone are the punk days for Relient K, but I still think they produce quality music (although Derek Leek disagrees with me). I’ve tried to encourage him to embrace change, but he just isn’t willing. The first track on the CD is called Don’t Blink. When I saw them live a couple months ago, they played it and I knew I would like it when the CD came out. Currently it is my favorite track on the CD.
In it Matt sings, “Hold on now don’t you blink or it’s gone. I’ve been terrified of life for way too long. Oh no now don’t you blink or it’s gone. In another life who knows what we’d become?” To me, it serves as a reminder that sometimes you just have to take a chance. There are many times that we let fear hold us back from doing things. Then later we regret we didn’t take the chance. We can get so terrified of living that we just choose to be complacent and comfortable.
Last winter I was approached about applying for a youth director position at the YMCA of Garner and Johnston County. I knew I would like to be a youth director at the Y, but I wasn’t sure I wanted to go to Garner to do that. I had even seen the position posted on the website and previously chose not to apply for it. I liked where I was at the Alexander Y. I knew everyone there, and it felt really comfortable. In spite of all of that, I went out on a limb and applied for the position. I got an interview and about a week after that I was offered the position. I accepted the offer, but I’d be lying if I said I felt completely comfortable about it. I didn’t know anyone at the Garner/JoCo branch. I didn’t know how I would fit in, what they would think of me, or what their programs would be like.
Now here I am four weeks into summer camp and I am having a blast. I took a chance taking the job at Garner and I love it. The people I work with are awesome and there isn’t a dull moment in our office. Don’t get me wrong, I still miss Alexander and the people there, but I get to see them when I go work out so it works out.
There will be times in your life when an opportunity presents itself and I encourage you not to be terrified of life. 1 John 4:18 says, “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear.” In God there is no fear, so if God is telling you to take a leap of faith you don’t have to be afraid. And if you are afraid, bring it to God. He can cast out that fear and allow you to continue to move in the things He has called you to do. Whatever you do, don’t blink or it’s gone.
until next time…