"And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters." (Genesis 1:2)
"It's kind of fun to do the impossible." (Walt Disney)
Sometime near the end of July, 2009, I am going to swim across the English Channel. It's hard to explain why I am going to do this, but it has something to do with those two quotes. In water I feel peace, as if the Spirit of God is still moving upon the face of the waters. Life was created in water, and water still gives life.
That may account for the water, but what about the swimming? And what about the 23 miles of 62 degree water and powerful tides between Dover and Cape Gris-Nez? Well, that's where Walt Disney comes in. It is kind of fun to do the impossible - or at least the ridiculously challenging. I'm not into danger, but without a challenge before me, I feel a dull torpor. Most of the really important stuff in life (like discipleship, marriage, parenthood) doesn't come with much of a finish line. So it's nice to take on a clear challenge, and in the end be able to say to yourself, "That'll do, pig. That'll do." I think that is what real fun is all about - what people used to call "pride," before that word got confused with "arrogance."
I want to swim the English Channel for another reason as well: to raise money to build a school in Waku Kungo, Angola. I'll have to explain that part of this challenge in an upcoming post, but I'll just say now that doing something for the children of Waku Kungo is not a burden, but a gift. "From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required." (Luke 12:48)
You can contribute now. Donate here. (Through the green button on the left side of that page.)
Until next time, it's "Swim, Mike, swim."
Peace
