Outrageous // Day One
What's the biggest problem with the American Dream? You have to be asleep.
All over the country, people are waking up. More than a house, a car, and 2.5 kids, what we truly yearn for is a life of possibility, potential, and adventure. We believe God is able to do more than we hope or imagine, but we're stuck living in the tension between our ordinary life and the extraordinary adventures that might be just around the corner.
This track comes from globe-trotting athlete, Aaron Tredway’s new book, Outrageous.
When you complete each daily assignment from the track on the Catalyst App, you will be entered in to win a copy of his book and an Outrageous sticker! There are 5 copies available!
Even in positions of leadership and influence, it’s not hard to lose the path of adventure. Aaron offers news of liberation from a life without purpose, calling us to pursue lives of unexpected opportunity amid our everyday circumstances.
Over the next few days, you will be challenged to wake up and embrace a faith that can move, shape, and propel you to love God and those you lead and interact with daily with greater significance.
You in?
DAY 1 – My Friend Harry
I used to have a friend named Harry. I met Harry working out in the gym; he was on a recumbent bike, I was on an elliptical. Actually, we were at the gym and I was working out. Harry was not.
At the time of our meeting Harry was at least eighty-five years old. Trust me, that’s a conservative guess—he could have easily passed for one hundred and five.
Harry cycled at about five revolutions per minute. That’s probably just faster than a baby worm can crawl. He maintained this clip for some time, but then without warning he stopped. Then his head slumped over. Then his body began to sink down on the bike.
Fearing the worst, I stepped off my elliptical and slowly walked toward Harry. It was a very slow walk. I’m not sure what I feared more, confirming Harry had in fact taken his last bike ride or having to perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. I put my hand on his arm. He didn’t move. I jostled his boney shoulder a bit, still no response. With very little to lose, I pulled the right headphone away from his ear and managed to wedge my head in between. I yelled, “Wake up!”
And he did! Harry opened his eyes and slowly surveyed his surroundings. Still shaking his head, Harry asked, “Where am I?” I wanted to express my relief that he was still in the land of the living. I refrained. Instead I very gently said, “You are in the gym, sir.”
He began shaking his head again. Clearly frustrated, Harry said, “I’m supposed to be working out.” I decided it was a rhetorical statement so I just kept listening. “My grandkids gave me all this stuff to wear and they told me I need to work out three days each week, but every time I come to the gym, I fall asleep!”
That was the beginning of my friendship with Harry. For the next few years I would see Harry on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday most weeks. We usually spoke, but not for long, because Harry was always too busy sleeping.
Reflect:
Take a moment to think about/write down some of your regular responsibilities or communities you’re involved in – church small groups, work, leadership teams, your family.
What does it look like to move through those activities or navigate those relationships…asleep? Would you describe yourself as asleep?
Don't forget to check out the Catalyst App for more details on how to win a copy of the book, Outrageous.
More from the Outrageous Track:
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