off the map 1.3
posted by codi bennett , Nov 7, 2011
cadre academy: brought to you by risk
In September we welcomed a new class of Cadre Students; the team immediately hit the ground running with classes, ministries, events and diving into relationships. Every year I’m amazed how quickly the students step into their new roles and each class takes on a new identity of their own. Each year at Orientation I look across the sea of faces as the students circle their necks with the new Cadre lanyard - remembering, I too once donned that lanyard in anticipation and expectancy. It’s a great risk stepping away from your parents umbrella and going beyond the expected norm of community college or a state school and opening yourself up to new possibilities and new people. Shaking hands with the unknown can be quite intimidating.
In September we welcomed a new class of Cadre Students; the team immediately hit the ground running with classes, ministries, events and diving into relationships. Every year I’m amazed how quickly the students step into their new roles and each class takes on a new identity of their own. Each year at Orientation I look across the sea of faces as the students circle their necks with the new Cadre lanyard - remembering, I too once donned that lanyard in anticipation and expectancy. It’s a great risk stepping away from your parents umbrella and going beyond the expected norm of community college or a state school and opening yourself up to new possibilities and new people. Shaking hands with the unknown can be quite intimidating.
Several years ago, while traveling in Thailand, I was told a story by a local pastor. It begins hundreds of years ago with a struggle between two nations. Burma and Thailand, if I remember correctly. The two countries were in a dispute over a certain mass of land. The King of Thailand suggested they hold a competition to settle the conflict; whichever country returned victorious from the competition would secure the land. At that point in History Burma was especially well known for it’s pearl divers and confidently knowing such, the King of Burma advised they hold a competition for whoever could stay under the ocean waters the longest.
The Thai King accepted.
The King of Burma searched his country for the most esteemed pearl diver who was sure to hold his breath the longest and fortify Burma’s probability to take the land and increase the size of their nation and likely gain more power.
Upon the day of the ‘match’ each country showed up with a great multitude of supporters in hopes to see which country would take home victory. The Burma King proudly announced their acclaimed diver and championed him as the best. The Thai supporters were curious who their King had chosen to represent their nation, knowing full-well that the Burmese diver had the odds stacked in his favor. As eyes turned to the King of Thailand to present his diver he turned behind himself and pointed to an unnamed and previously undetermined bystander and casually said, “You'll do”. Both nations gasped with astonishment and the Thai King held confidently his gaze, convinced of his election.
The divers were led to the shores and the countdown began. Upon the gunfire, the two men; one confident and determined, the other confused but willing, dove into the deep blue waters. The crowd gathered as the timer began to tick. With each passing minute the eyes drew closer on the waters wondering which diver would crest the blue canvas first, handing triumph to the other country.
One minute.
Two minutes.
Three minutes.
No movement on the water.
Four minutes.
Five minutes.
The men were still under.
Six minutes.
Seven minutes.
Eight minutes.
The onlookers could not believe a human could hold one’s breath so long.
Nine minutes.
The crowd grew impressed with the rookie Thai man who had no diving experience.
Ten minutes.
The waters were yet still.
Eleven minutes.
A man appeared. He struggled to swim ashore. Men raced out to drag him to the beach, curious to see which diver it was.
The man stood to his feet and was distinctly identified as the Burmese diver, previously favored to win. Both nations were in shock. The untrained Thai had outlasted the esteemed Burmese.
The eyes of all witnesses turned back towards the blue waves - waiting in expectation for the Thai man to break the water’s surface.
Twelve Minutes.
Thirteen Minutes.
Fourteen Minutes.
Fifteen Minutes.
The crowd began to murmur.
Twenty Minutes.
Thirty Minutes.
One Hour.
An audience of both nations continued to count the hours throughout the night. Upon the 24-hour milestone the victory was handed to the nation of Thailand and the Kingdom rejoiced.
The Thai man never surfaced.
The Thai King and his loyal subject understood the value of risk and sacrifice. Sometimes we have to be willing to jump into unknown waters without expertise on our side, knowing the risk is worth the gain. That day Thailand gained great territory because of the willingness of one man to honor His King - even when He didn’t understand. I discovered a quote which I thought aptly fit this account of history:
“Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore” -Andre Gide
I know there are several areas in my life where the Lord has challenged me likewise. I’m quite fond of control and being able to calculate the outcome of my choices brings me comfort. However, I have learned the less willing I am to take risks and make sacrifice the more I tie the Lord’s hand to show up in my favor.Where do you stand? Do you embrace risk and the unknown or hold close to control, as I tend to? Has an unresolved fear or the unpredictability of life imprisoned you with a ‘formula’ for life? May the Thai King and these Cadre students embolden you to risk big.
May I gently remind us all, without great risk there is seldom great gain.-cjb-
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