Jumping From Rocks

Years ago, on a college trip with friends I was rocked by a lesson I shall never forget. It was decided that we would travel to Hocking Hills State Park in Ohio. As an intriguing destination for many hikers, which we were not, it was embellished by a mile long gorge named “Old Man’s Cave”. Our group of wannabe hikers consisted of an equal number of men and women. Of course, we men believed that it was our duty to impress our lady friends, with our mighty acts of fearless valor.

Through the course of the day we climbed, jumped, swam, dove, and grunted. Yes, we were men in our element. I was really beginning to convince myself that I was a pretty fearless, a real modern day warrior. Suddenly, names such as Paul Bunyan, Huck Finn, Davey Crockett, and Tom Sawyer began to parade across my mind’s eye. After lunch we reached a very interesting rock formation. Reaching 20 feet above our heads stood a massive rock. It looked as though it had been carved out of the middle of the gorge, or as though a concrete icicle had fallen from heaven and lodged itself into the earth. It was an island of rock separated from human contact.

As we gazed up, one observed that all five of us men could probably stand on that rock. Yes, we could conquer this mighty beast. Our strategic planning meeting began. We huddled and discussed how we would defeat our foe. The prize, the admiration of the women folk; the task, raising the flag of victory in Iwo Jima-like fashion. Our flag would be fashioned from the T-shirt of the most ripped among us (which was not me) and a branch from a previously conquered fallen hemlock; which the smallest of our brigade, “shorty” as he was known, had been carrying since it was captured. Quickly, we realized that scaling the great formation was not possible, which we immediately blamed on a lack of adequate supplies. Finally, one of us observed that we could climb the trail that led to the side of the gorge, and from there jump to the rock formation.

The plan was affirmed, thus the meeting was adjourned, as “Shorty” lead the way with Hemlock Branch in hand up the trail. With cameras in hand, the ladies remained below to be captivated by our virile awesomeness. However, upon reaching the top, it seemed as though the distance from our position to the great rock island had greatly increased. It was just close enough to inspire our courage, and just far enough to crush us all over. Feeling the need to retreat, but knowing that such an action would severely tarnish our inspiring reputation, we began to stall until one of us withdrew. Yes, then the remainder of our posse could call it equity and brotherly support for the weaker of our number. After all, we would not want one of us to feel alone in his cowardice. Of course we all looked at “Shorty”, who immediately looked at his stump like legs. We all knew that there was no way on earth he could get those little things to move fast enough to propel him to safety, let alone the lack of extension needed to secure success. It was cruel, we all knew it, but it was about survival. As we had hoped “Shorty’s” countenance fell as he pitifully lumbered down the trail. Two more followed old “Shorty” in the walk of shame, however, for a reason that only the Eden could explain, I and other remained. He was fearless and I was a good actor. I had never felt less like Davey Crockett and more like Betty Crocker in my life. Growing up as a missionary kid in South America, he was the closest thing to Tarzan that I had ever met. I knew he would jump, land, and escalate himself to the rank of Alpha Male.

At that moment I realized something about reality that I had not considered in the past, a lesson I still deal with to this day. I am always eager to leap when I am certain that I can control the results. However, when the outcome is ambiguous I freeze. This is true about reality, many times we are exceedingly certain of ourselves when we can control the results, however, suspend that guarantee and we become religiously conservative. There have been many times in which from the ground I have, like Peter proclaimed “I will die with you, Lord”. Yet, when I was high enough to realize that the results were out of my hands, my knees always start quivering. Why is it that I am only bold when God is not my only assurance, when I can trust in something other than him? Ah yes, this truly separates the men from the boys, when one can be audacious in Christ because he is convinced of his own feebleness. At the conclusion of the day there was a new Alpha Male. I however, lumbered down the trail with a new understanding of reality, and a greater appreciation for the only one who is able to control my landings.