Adventures Await Outside the Port

When you were a kid, did you play the “I Dare You” game? I did. I remember when friends would “dare me” to jump into the deep end of the pool or jump off the high diving board. They were trying to force me to do something that I was afraid to do, but I yielded to their "dare" and realized I had nothing to fear. In one sense, the word "daring" can seem reckless, but on the other hand, it also means being "bold". If we are inclined to stay within our "comfort zones".....or, as a ship, to safely stay in port, then we'll never enjoy the thrills of conquests and victories....just because we weren't willing to be "daring" and "bold".

I have a case-in-point. I enjoy being a Resident Representative for my community, Hyde Park at Tulsa Hills. I meet potential homeowners and tell them what it’s like to live here. I’m qualified because I was one of the first residents to build a home here when there wasn’t anything but dirt and earth-moving equipment, back in November 2012. There were three of us who built our homes at the same time. It was a gutsy undertaking when we ventured out believing that what the developer was telling us would be reality. He said there would be streets and sidewalks, a beautiful clubhouse that would have all kinds of amenities: tennis, swimming pool, billiards’ room, dining area, library, work-out facility, dance studio, 6-hole putting green, and pickle ball courts. He said this community would be about lifestyle: right-sized homes, maintenance-free yards, gated entry, close to all kinds of shopping, restaurants, and services. AND, here’s the amazing, step-out-in-faith bottom line, WE BELIEVED HIM though we saw nothing but drawings of lots, their locations, as well as the location of the clubhouse. The perfect scripture for that kind of belief is "Now faith is the assurance that what we hope for will come about and the certainty that what we cannot see exists." Hebrews 11:1

When I heard about this unique, first-of-its-kind 55+ community in Oklahoma, it was exactly what I was hoping for. So, I took the plunge to sell my home, but even before I sold it, I knew this place was for me, but it would take a leap of faith. In essence, I got out of the safe harbor and launched my ship to the open seas.

Now we have fifty homes in this community, a gorgeous clubhouse with all those amenities in it,, as well as wonderful neighbors who have become dear, life-long friends to me. I get amused when people come and are not willing to venture out of their comfort zones though they love what they see here. They see the finished homes, the clubhouse, hear the testimonies of residents, yet they aren’t willing to venture out, even though now there are so many “knowns”, unlike when I ventured out and there were so many “unknowns”.

I'm quite sure that God loves it when we rev up our engines and venture out into the oceans of discoveries and live life with no regrets. This move was definitely brave and bold, but as it turns out, it's given me adventures of a lifetime living here, travelling with neighbors, socializing and living an active, full and fun life with these neighbors. My faith really paid off.

I’d say, if you’re stuck in some rut and really desire change, then be willing to change, be willing to venture out into the seas and oceans of discoveries and adventures. God built us for bold living. Let’s be bold, brave AND beautiful and set sail for the awesome oceans and seas of life.