I have made a goal to climb Mt Adams this next year on July 12^th. I think it has been at least ten years since I made it to the top. I can remember about four times since the last successful climb that I have attempted and not made it. I am going to train very hard for this climb and I will also be about 50 lbs lighter than I have been in the last ten years. If I make it or not this will be my last attempt. If I make it I will call that my last hurrah, and if I don’t, I will figure that is the best chance I will have and move on to another challenge not quite so hard. It used to be that in my annual goals there were about six B-HAG’s, Big, Hairy Audacious Goals, now I usually have one or maybe two. I have liked them because they motivate me to do more than I normally would. This goal has me walking on the treadmill three times a week and increasing the incline and speed, riding on my stationary bike three times a week, and lifting weights three times a week.

Matthew 14:28-29 Peter said to Him, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” And He said, “Come!” And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus.

Every time I read this passage of Jesus walking on the water I wonder what was Peter’s motive in asking Jesus to command him to “Come.” There are any number of possibilities. If it had been me, my motive would have been the chance to do something that was impossible. I don’t think that would have been a bad motive. I have successfully climbed Mt Adams a number of times in the past, Mt Hood a couple of times, Mt St Helens before it blew it’s top, I have sky dived three times, ridden across the USA three times on a bicycle, and last year I volunteered to Pastor a different church in Jefferson. Why? There is something exciting, and rejuvenating in getting out of the boat and walking on the water, or at least attempting to. I may downsize and reduce the number of B-HAG’s I attempt in the years ahead depending on my health but I am pretty sure I will have at least one, even if it is a relatively easy one. I think I am going to go skydiving again pretty soon. My granddaughter wants to go and I can’t let her do it without me. I am reading a book right now called, “Do Hard Things.” The theme of the book is what happens to our minds, character, and confidence when we regularly choose to do a B-HAG instead of playing it safe.