What Are The Chances??

Last week, I had the moment of a lifetime. One thing I wanted more than just about anything for my birthday was to go to a Josh Groban concert. I love his music. He has an amazing voice, and I heard he puts on a great show. My uncle wanted to spoil me a bit and bought us great seats at a concert up in LA. There was a small stage right behind our floor seating that had a piano, and Josh would make his way back and forth between the small and the big stage. He performed amazingly, tens of thousands in the stadium cheered, body guards followed him wherever he went. Then the unimaginable happened. As he walked past me to the smaller stage, I stood up amidst the chaos of bodyguards and others around me and called out “Hi Josh” to him. He stopped, smiled, and asked if I wanted to go on stage. I did! I held my breath for the rest of the night . . .  and the next two days. It was so much fun, but kind of . . . incredible.

A few days later, I was at a retreat at the beach with the young adult ministry team from my church. From morning through afternoon, we had quiet time and meetings, lunch and fellowship, sharing and brainstorming, volleyball and jetskis. It was encouraging and fun! Then again . . . the unimaginable. One hour left of our jetski rental and the end of our retreat. Who wanted to go out for one last ride?  I did! I hopped on the back of my friend driving, and another friend got on a second jet. We waded through the 5 MPH zone and then took off fast once we reached open waters! It was exhilarating! But so sadly and unsuspectingly, fun turned to shock as the skis headed toward each other with no time to turn. We collided and were thrown off. The angle that our ski hit the other was just low enough to miss our friend’s leg. A thousand other scenarios could have happened. But everyone was okay (though there was considerable . . . and expensive . . . damage to the boat). These were no bumper boats . . . and I’ve been reminded by many since of how “lucky” we were.

From both scenarios, I’ve asked God “What are the chances?” One in a thousand, one in ten thousand? After the jetski accident, in fear, I continually asked my mom “What could have happened? What could I have done to prevent this?” I should have known. I lamented being so foolish. But a friend spoke truth to me: “It was an accident. You couldn’t have known.” My mom reminded me of something she recently heard from Beth Moore: “NOTHING is outside of God’s control.”

I can’t live my life “knowing.” I don’t always have control. I can live without risk and only take steps towards things I am sure about . . .  but then I will miss out. If I hadn’t stood up to call out to Josh Groban, I don’t think he would have taken me up on stage and sang to me (ahhhhh . . . still can’t get over it!!). If I hadn’t gotten on the jetski, I wouldn’t have fallen off. But then, I wouldn’t have had this reminder too: God IS in control.

I couldn't control something TO happen. And I can't control something NOT TO happen. Dozens of girls called out to me "you're so lucky" as I left the concert. How they would have liked to have controlled a similar experience TO happen. How I would love to control many things in my life TO happen, or to have NOT.

As I drove to the grocery store today, I thought of the chances of getting in an accident. We all take that chance every day. My sister was hit by a drunk driver a couple years ago and put in a coma for 3 days, so this hits close to home for me, but does that mean I won’t drive anymore? That I won’t live life?

It's ironic, but actually knowing and trusting that God is control, makes me more active, rather than passive. It makes me step out more, rather than take a "hands off" approach to life. Certainly, I am responsible for MY actions, and I want to feel peace and Spirit-led before making decisions, or acting on them. But sometimes, stepping out involves risk . . . and just not knowing, NOT BEING SURE!

I think God made men to naturally be a bit more of risk-takers, and women to be a little more cautious . . . perhaps to balance each other out. Too much risk may result in a lot of loss, and too much caution would prevent anything from happening!

But even as a woman, I feel a call to step out more in courage and trust. God IS in control. Sometimes I won’t know until I try. And sometimes, there will be a loss. But sometimes, there will be greatness. And how do I know that balance? I don’t know.

But I want to step out.

Courage, I say. And trust.

God IS in control.