Life in Christ is just plain better.

The mountains have a way of making me feel really really little. How can anyone stand at the foot of the Rockies and not experience at least a hint of the glory of Someone far greater than life itself?

About a week ago I was in desperate need of a vacation. I had begun to face the pressing reality that somehow I had inadvertently portrayed a false image that I had things "together".... that I was capable of undertaking all the glorious responsibilities I was being given.

I didn't ask for a promotion.. but I was getting one. I didn't ask for a research project, but somehow a simple hint of curiosity had turned into a massive undertaking. I didn't ask to be someone people relied on for spiritual encouragement or advice. Didn't these people know how much I have failed Him? It was as if somehow people were staring at a tainted photograph...in reverse.

Some crazy person airbrushed it and erased all my wrinkles, freckles and scars.

And now everyone has expectations...

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So I headed to the mountains for a breath of fresh air. Some relaxation and recuperation.

And then there was the snowboard.

I've hardly ever seen snow much less been involved with any type of winter sport, including skiing. While I love sports in general, this Texas girl was completely ignorant when it came to any type of sled or ski coming down an enormously steep and ferociously slick pile of ice.

BUT... my friend Adam had an extra snowboard and I was too cheap to rent unnecessary skis. Plus...snowboarders always looked pretty cool.

I had hesitations... I almost decided not to go. But I figured I had to at least try... even though I didn't even know how to buckle my feet in the darned thing. Go big or go home, right?

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Day One: spent mainly on my bum...or face.. or side... or belly... or knees.. or under the snow. I took a restroom break after about half the day. As I began to pull off layers of clothing, CHUNKS of ice came tumbling out. It was a little embarrasing. Yea... I left a trail of powder from the door to the bathroom. My shirt was frozen and so was my hair. My whole back was red from the ice. But for some reason, I kept wanting to go back up.

Day Two: Could barely get out of bed I hurt so bad. I had to take the day off from the slopes and went shopping instead. I was made painfully aware of muscles I had forgotten about. Motrin was my friend.

Day Three: Soreness was resolving and I was back out on the slopes. Aside from my quarrels with the ski-lift, I really began to get the whole snowboarding thing. Learned how to carve...to turn...to change speed...to stop without just making myself crash for goodness sakes! Even boarded down a few blues...and through some narrow areas of trees.

The fear was gripping... but it took pressing through the fear and deceitful images of my inadequacy... to really experience the thrill of learning something I never thought I could do.

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Is it possible that there are countless abilities left unattended simply because Im too afraid of failing? Fear can be so paralyzing and too often robs us of the thrill that comes after walking through it. I probably wont be in the X games next year, but what if my greatest purpose lies on the other side of my most daunting fears?

God showed me a lot about who He is this week. I learned that He is able to equip me for more than I think I am able... far more than I am able. I learned that there might be more within me than my wrinkles and freckles and scars solely because of His work in me. I learned that beyond fear often lies something worth pursuing... even if it means falling and failing...a lot.

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"Unless a grain of wheat falls to the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal" (John 12:24-25)