Do you ever have moments where you wish time could stand still? They are so beautiful. Stunning. Breathtaking.
I recently had one of those moments while on a twentieth anniversary trip to Kauai Hawaii with my wife. We’d never been there before. We definitely want to go back. Island time is different. Slower. So needed.
We splurged and purchased a “doors off” helicopter ride. We told one local we were doing this, and she briefly grimaced.
“What?” I asked. “Have you never done this?”
“No. I won’t.”
“Oh. Why? Have people died?”
Another grimace.
“I don’t want to scare you, so I don’t want to share. You will be fine.”
I have a fairly high tolerance for risk. My wife does as well. As we boarded the helicopter, I told the two other young men going along for the ride, “Hey, guys, I think people sometimes die on this.”
“Oh, really?” one young man said, slightly unnerved. “Yeah, but if we die, we’re going down in spectacular fashion!”
The ride was better than I imagined. Our heavily tattooed pilot, Arthur, had flown the route over 4,000 times. He wasn’t dead yet, so I figured we were okay.
The Napoli Coastline is one of the most gorgeous places on planet earth. Spectacular waterfalls. Magnificent cliffs and canyons. All with my best friend seated next to me.
The hour went entirely too fast. Moments.
The longer I live the more I realize that every moment is a moment. That may sound cliche. St. Paul didn’t think it was. “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (I Thessalonians 5:16-18). Every moment is a gift from God—rejoice. Every human interaction is a dance with the divine—pray. Every trial is an opportunity to grow—give thanks!
You don’t have to be suspended 5,000 feet above a remote island in the Pacific to rejoice, pray, and give thanks! Right now, reading this blog, is a moment. Your moment. With God. With others. In creation. Don’t take it for granted. This is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
One closing leadership lesson. Our moment of remarkable beauty required risk. Anything worth attempting—starting, re-starting, launching—will likely include some element of risk. Physical risk. Relational risk. Reputational risk. Be encouraged by St. John. “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear” (I John 4:18).
You have been perfectly loved by the God of the universe who sent His Son, Jesus, to show you love in the form of a baby born in Bethlehem. He risked it all—for you. Do not be afraid. Lead from love—perfect love.
Enjoy your moments.
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