Following Christ - The Ultimate Thrill Quest!
John's note: Seven years ago, I prayed a prayer that has changed my life. July 17, 1999 marks my birth as a Christian. Jason Bergstrom was one of the four men with me on that day. Jason was my mentor during my infancy. Unlike many other Christians I had met, Jason not only talked the talk, he truly walked the walk of faith.
Jason is currently the pastor and director of Exodus Leadership Development. He wrote the following article in his monthly newsletter:
A couple of years ago, I was invited to speak at an extreme adventure youth camp (more of an adventure than a camp) called the “X-Tour.” Our days were filled with adrenalin pumping activities following which the students would return to the hotel, exhausted from a strenuous day in the sun, and hear a message designed to challenge them in their faith.
One such activity on this X-Tour was bungee jumping. Ah, bungee jumping… What thoughts creep into your mind as you ponder this sport? Fear, exhilaration, death… You most likely conclude that those who seek such a thrill are psychotic, insane or highly committed youth pastors (after all, if they feared death; they would not have chosen youth ministry!). I fall into the last category.
Whatever your thoughts on bungee jumping, allow me to expand on the experience to present a clear understanding as to what this “thrill quest” encompassed. Our day began early as we met up with the rest of the group in traveling to Angeles National Forest, located in Azusa CA, where our journey was to begin. Upon arrival, the group was instructed to carefully follow the “guide”, keep up with his pace, remain on the path and help one another on this journey through the wilderness as we strove to reach our destination.
Trekking through the forest is quite an adventure in its own right as you maneuver through brush, climb over fallen, termite eaten trees and battle to cross a flowing river while remaining as dry as the situation would allow. We would hike through this forest for five miles before our destination would be in sight. Given the condition of the forest, there were times when one would question how the location for our “jump” could even exist invoking a bit of concern as to the safety of this “jump”. Due to the stories heard about others who had made the journey and the “jump”, we were motivated to persist through the obstacles with anticipation and perhaps apprehension as we pondered what was to come.
For most, exhaustion, hunger and thirst set in causing their bodies to cry out for replenishment. This “thrill quest” required a good deal of stamina and for those whose bodies were not accustomed to such activity, the journey through the forest became quite a challenge. Camaraderie was evident as participants served to lighten the burdens of others through sharing resources and/or carrying another’s supplies, all to the purpose of reaching our common goal; the big jump!
As the end of the path drew near, in the distance we could see it… the much talked about and anticipated “Bridge to Nowhere”. Emotions began to shift as some questioned their own sanity and began to doubt the decision to embark on this journey. As we reached the bridge, the origin for its name became evident. The road on the far side of the bridge was never completed and the road previously leading to the bridge had been washed away by a tumultuous flood bringing an end to any road construction plans that had been in existence, thus the bridge truly “led to nowhere”.
I am not usually bothered by heights, but when I looked over the side of the bridge for the first time with the knowledge that I would be jumping off, my palms began to sweat. Some of the others in our group were so nervous that they actually threw up or began to cry at the prospect of stepping over the rail and onto the platform to make the jump into the “unknown”. One looks at a bridge through very different eyes when contemplating a jump off of it! The guide then asked the question that everyone had been anticipating from the moment their feet had stepped onto the bridge, “Who wants to volunteer to go first?” Of course, this type of question is always followed by a moment of silence and then slowly, a volunteer emerges.
It takes a great deal of internal reasoning to overcome the years of training provided by our mothers who taught us that even if all our friends were to jump off a bridge, we should never engage in such activities. While it was evident that not all of my friends would follow through on their decision to jump of the bridge, I was determined to finish what I had started. Needless to say, climbing over the side of a bridge is a very unnatural and insecure feeling.
As I made my way out on the platform, the instructions were given to keep my eyes on the “mark” which was a flag attached to a yucca plant up on the side of the mountain adjacent to the bridge and jump toward it! The moment had come and I was psyched! Once you are ready to jump, everyone on the bridge counts down, “5… 4… 3… 2… 1… bungee!” (check it out) On “Bungee,” the idea is to propel yourself in the direction of the flag and soar until gravity decides you should be doing otherwise. As gravity does its thing and the journey downward begins, a thrill like no other is experienced as the ground swiftly becomes closer and closer. The stomach makes its way up to the throat and for an instant, you are seemingly breathless. Suddenly, the stretched cord makes its rebound and springs you under the archway of the bridge almost reaching the other side. The ride continues as the bungee cord gradually loses its bounce and then, as quickly as it began, it’s over. The group lowers a rope and bands together to hoist you back up. With excitement looming, you are rushed by people to recount the “thrill” of the experience. One can scarcely imagine a moment more exhilarating or satisfying. The quest yielded all that it had promised and I was thankful that I didn’t give up or back down when presented with the opportunity to “jump”.
By now, you’ve probably discerned my intention to draw a parallel between bungee jumping and our journey with God. Here are the steps:
1. Choose to sacrifice as you quest to pursue God’s plan for your life.
2. Be prepared and willing to make the journey, regardless of how “hard” it gets.
3. Engage others in the quest for God’s best and help them along the way.
4. Keep focused and stay true to the mission, even if others don’t. (Finish what you start)
5. Don’t let a “fear of the unknown” keep you from jumping.
6. When God says “Bungee”, jump with enthusiasm!
7. Share with others the “thrills” experienced while stepping out in faith. (These stories motivate others to “jump”)
8. Thank God for the moments when He strengthens you and gives you the courage to “jump” providing you with an experience that is more exhilarating and satisfying than any other.
While working as a travel agent before 9/11, I began to sense God’s call to ministry. I pursued and obtained my ministerial license, however, I was a minister without a ministry. At the time, I enjoyed a good income affording my wife an opportunity to stay home with our four children. My plan was to search for a ministerial position and resign as a travel agent when the position presented itself. This sounded good and I waited for the proverbial “door” to open.
One day while working at my computer, God began to speak to me. It wasn’t audible, but the prompting could not have been clearer; I was to resign my position. I went home and shared with my wife this word from the Lord and she confirmed that He had spoken this to her as well. Our excitement swelled as we anticipated a ministry opportunity to emerge by or before the two weeks at the travel agency was to end. Needless to say, the two weeks came and went with no prospects in sight. Instead of a ministry, God provided handyman jobs, one after another for eight months without my seeking or soliciting employment. Word would pass from one person to the next and when I needed to pay the bills; God would have people call me, seemingly out of no where, asking for my handyman services. This was a faith building time and God was demonstrating His faithfulness to us through these amazing provisions.
As with bungee jumping, the only thing that gave us courage to “jump” and kept us from failure was, knowing what “mark” to fix our eyes upon. Through the trials, God was teaching us to keep our eyes on Him as we pursue His plan and purpose, trusting that He will take care of all that we need. The quest for God’s best in our lives led us to this moment when our faith would be stretched, challenged and matured simply by our willingness to “jump”. We could jump with excitement and anticipation or fear and anxiety, either way; God just wanted us to jump. Nothing took Him by surprise even if, at times, the “faith journey” became a bit scary to us. He had led many to this bridge before and asked the same of them “jump”. The conclusion: If what you are doing for God isn’t scary and producing a desperate need for an empowerment from Him to accomplish what He has willed you to do - you need to make a “jump” somewhere and be challenged by God’s call. We need to continually seek the “thrill” of the jump and be willing to leap into the unknown as we strive to experience God’s best for our lives and His Kingdom.
Last summer, I took a group of freshman youth (mostly girls) to this “Bridge to Nowhere”. I pumped them up with video footage from one of my previous jumps and spoke of the incredible thrill derived from the experience. Shortly after breakfast on the morning of our jump, I learned that some of the students had been losing sleep for two weeks due to being nervous about the jump. Shortly after arriving at the bridge, girls began to huddle together, almost in a state of mourning and one young lady became so terrified that she began to cry incessantly. When it came time for the safety demonstration, she couldn’t even bring herself to watch. I told her that she didn’t have to jump. Her determined response was that she didn’t just hike five miles for nothing. She was going to jump. We eventually managed to get her harnessed up and over the side of the bridge. (I say “we” because it was a team effort to talk her through the process) Everyone enthusiastically counted down “5…4…3…2…1…Bungee! But she just stood there, looking at the rocks and rushing water 110 feet below. After three countdowns she climbed back over the bridge. Her fear was preventing her from doing what she wanted to do.
As the day progressed, somewhere inside, she found the determination to climb back over the bridge for another try. The countdown began and … no bungee; the countdown began again and … no bungee; a third countdown and … she climbed back over the railing and onto the bridge. Some of her friends began to quote one of her favorite verses: Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” She began to repeat it back to them. As her focus turned from the height of the bridge to the strength of her God, she gained the courage to once more climb out onto the platform. It took a few more countdowns, but with God’s help and the encouragement of everyone on the bridge, she released her hold on the railing and leaped into the unknown. Her scream reverberated through the canyon with an echo that frightened the indigenous wildlife but to us, it was the scream of victory as her fear had been conquered and her faith strengthened. When she finally made it back on the bridge, she was excited and ready to go again! More importantly, she learned that stepping out in faith and making the “jump” is what makes the journey complete.
Without faith, it is impossible to please God. He has promised that when we are in His will, all we need to do is keep our focus on Him and let Him take care of the rest. He has never let me down. He has promised to do the same for you.
-Pastor Jason Bergstrom
Jason is currently the pastor and director of Exodus Leadership Development. He wrote the following article in his monthly newsletter:
A couple of years ago, I was invited to speak at an extreme adventure youth camp (more of an adventure than a camp) called the “X-Tour.” Our days were filled with adrenalin pumping activities following which the students would return to the hotel, exhausted from a strenuous day in the sun, and hear a message designed to challenge them in their faith.
One such activity on this X-Tour was bungee jumping. Ah, bungee jumping… What thoughts creep into your mind as you ponder this sport? Fear, exhilaration, death… You most likely conclude that those who seek such a thrill are psychotic, insane or highly committed youth pastors (after all, if they feared death; they would not have chosen youth ministry!). I fall into the last category.
Whatever your thoughts on bungee jumping, allow me to expand on the experience to present a clear understanding as to what this “thrill quest” encompassed. Our day began early as we met up with the rest of the group in traveling to Angeles National Forest, located in Azusa CA, where our journey was to begin. Upon arrival, the group was instructed to carefully follow the “guide”, keep up with his pace, remain on the path and help one another on this journey through the wilderness as we strove to reach our destination.
Trekking through the forest is quite an adventure in its own right as you maneuver through brush, climb over fallen, termite eaten trees and battle to cross a flowing river while remaining as dry as the situation would allow. We would hike through this forest for five miles before our destination would be in sight. Given the condition of the forest, there were times when one would question how the location for our “jump” could even exist invoking a bit of concern as to the safety of this “jump”. Due to the stories heard about others who had made the journey and the “jump”, we were motivated to persist through the obstacles with anticipation and perhaps apprehension as we pondered what was to come.
For most, exhaustion, hunger and thirst set in causing their bodies to cry out for replenishment. This “thrill quest” required a good deal of stamina and for those whose bodies were not accustomed to such activity, the journey through the forest became quite a challenge. Camaraderie was evident as participants served to lighten the burdens of others through sharing resources and/or carrying another’s supplies, all to the purpose of reaching our common goal; the big jump!
As the end of the path drew near, in the distance we could see it… the much talked about and anticipated “Bridge to Nowhere”. Emotions began to shift as some questioned their own sanity and began to doubt the decision to embark on this journey. As we reached the bridge, the origin for its name became evident. The road on the far side of the bridge was never completed and the road previously leading to the bridge had been washed away by a tumultuous flood bringing an end to any road construction plans that had been in existence, thus the bridge truly “led to nowhere”.
I am not usually bothered by heights, but when I looked over the side of the bridge for the first time with the knowledge that I would be jumping off, my palms began to sweat. Some of the others in our group were so nervous that they actually threw up or began to cry at the prospect of stepping over the rail and onto the platform to make the jump into the “unknown”. One looks at a bridge through very different eyes when contemplating a jump off of it! The guide then asked the question that everyone had been anticipating from the moment their feet had stepped onto the bridge, “Who wants to volunteer to go first?” Of course, this type of question is always followed by a moment of silence and then slowly, a volunteer emerges.
It takes a great deal of internal reasoning to overcome the years of training provided by our mothers who taught us that even if all our friends were to jump off a bridge, we should never engage in such activities. While it was evident that not all of my friends would follow through on their decision to jump of the bridge, I was determined to finish what I had started. Needless to say, climbing over the side of a bridge is a very unnatural and insecure feeling.
As I made my way out on the platform, the instructions were given to keep my eyes on the “mark” which was a flag attached to a yucca plant up on the side of the mountain adjacent to the bridge and jump toward it! The moment had come and I was psyched! Once you are ready to jump, everyone on the bridge counts down, “5… 4… 3… 2… 1… bungee!” (check it out) On “Bungee,” the idea is to propel yourself in the direction of the flag and soar until gravity decides you should be doing otherwise. As gravity does its thing and the journey downward begins, a thrill like no other is experienced as the ground swiftly becomes closer and closer. The stomach makes its way up to the throat and for an instant, you are seemingly breathless. Suddenly, the stretched cord makes its rebound and springs you under the archway of the bridge almost reaching the other side. The ride continues as the bungee cord gradually loses its bounce and then, as quickly as it began, it’s over. The group lowers a rope and bands together to hoist you back up. With excitement looming, you are rushed by people to recount the “thrill” of the experience. One can scarcely imagine a moment more exhilarating or satisfying. The quest yielded all that it had promised and I was thankful that I didn’t give up or back down when presented with the opportunity to “jump”.
By now, you’ve probably discerned my intention to draw a parallel between bungee jumping and our journey with God. Here are the steps:
1. Choose to sacrifice as you quest to pursue God’s plan for your life.
2. Be prepared and willing to make the journey, regardless of how “hard” it gets.
3. Engage others in the quest for God’s best and help them along the way.
4. Keep focused and stay true to the mission, even if others don’t. (Finish what you start)
5. Don’t let a “fear of the unknown” keep you from jumping.
6. When God says “Bungee”, jump with enthusiasm!
7. Share with others the “thrills” experienced while stepping out in faith. (These stories motivate others to “jump”)
8. Thank God for the moments when He strengthens you and gives you the courage to “jump” providing you with an experience that is more exhilarating and satisfying than any other.
While working as a travel agent before 9/11, I began to sense God’s call to ministry. I pursued and obtained my ministerial license, however, I was a minister without a ministry. At the time, I enjoyed a good income affording my wife an opportunity to stay home with our four children. My plan was to search for a ministerial position and resign as a travel agent when the position presented itself. This sounded good and I waited for the proverbial “door” to open.
One day while working at my computer, God began to speak to me. It wasn’t audible, but the prompting could not have been clearer; I was to resign my position. I went home and shared with my wife this word from the Lord and she confirmed that He had spoken this to her as well. Our excitement swelled as we anticipated a ministry opportunity to emerge by or before the two weeks at the travel agency was to end. Needless to say, the two weeks came and went with no prospects in sight. Instead of a ministry, God provided handyman jobs, one after another for eight months without my seeking or soliciting employment. Word would pass from one person to the next and when I needed to pay the bills; God would have people call me, seemingly out of no where, asking for my handyman services. This was a faith building time and God was demonstrating His faithfulness to us through these amazing provisions.
As with bungee jumping, the only thing that gave us courage to “jump” and kept us from failure was, knowing what “mark” to fix our eyes upon. Through the trials, God was teaching us to keep our eyes on Him as we pursue His plan and purpose, trusting that He will take care of all that we need. The quest for God’s best in our lives led us to this moment when our faith would be stretched, challenged and matured simply by our willingness to “jump”. We could jump with excitement and anticipation or fear and anxiety, either way; God just wanted us to jump. Nothing took Him by surprise even if, at times, the “faith journey” became a bit scary to us. He had led many to this bridge before and asked the same of them “jump”. The conclusion: If what you are doing for God isn’t scary and producing a desperate need for an empowerment from Him to accomplish what He has willed you to do - you need to make a “jump” somewhere and be challenged by God’s call. We need to continually seek the “thrill” of the jump and be willing to leap into the unknown as we strive to experience God’s best for our lives and His Kingdom.
Last summer, I took a group of freshman youth (mostly girls) to this “Bridge to Nowhere”. I pumped them up with video footage from one of my previous jumps and spoke of the incredible thrill derived from the experience. Shortly after breakfast on the morning of our jump, I learned that some of the students had been losing sleep for two weeks due to being nervous about the jump. Shortly after arriving at the bridge, girls began to huddle together, almost in a state of mourning and one young lady became so terrified that she began to cry incessantly. When it came time for the safety demonstration, she couldn’t even bring herself to watch. I told her that she didn’t have to jump. Her determined response was that she didn’t just hike five miles for nothing. She was going to jump. We eventually managed to get her harnessed up and over the side of the bridge. (I say “we” because it was a team effort to talk her through the process) Everyone enthusiastically counted down “5…4…3…2…1…Bungee! But she just stood there, looking at the rocks and rushing water 110 feet below. After three countdowns she climbed back over the bridge. Her fear was preventing her from doing what she wanted to do.
As the day progressed, somewhere inside, she found the determination to climb back over the bridge for another try. The countdown began and … no bungee; the countdown began again and … no bungee; a third countdown and … she climbed back over the railing and onto the bridge. Some of her friends began to quote one of her favorite verses: Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” She began to repeat it back to them. As her focus turned from the height of the bridge to the strength of her God, she gained the courage to once more climb out onto the platform. It took a few more countdowns, but with God’s help and the encouragement of everyone on the bridge, she released her hold on the railing and leaped into the unknown. Her scream reverberated through the canyon with an echo that frightened the indigenous wildlife but to us, it was the scream of victory as her fear had been conquered and her faith strengthened. When she finally made it back on the bridge, she was excited and ready to go again! More importantly, she learned that stepping out in faith and making the “jump” is what makes the journey complete.
Without faith, it is impossible to please God. He has promised that when we are in His will, all we need to do is keep our focus on Him and let Him take care of the rest. He has never let me down. He has promised to do the same for you.
-Pastor Jason Bergstrom