The Courage To Follow Through

“Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.” 

Matthew 5:37 

In radio, you learn quickly—if you make a promise, people will remember. 

I’ve spent years helping with fundraisers at stations across the country. It’s one of my favorite things—watching generosity ripple through a community, knowing that each dollar represents a life touched. When my friends in Minnesota invited me to help with their fundraiser, I was all in. 

We were live on-air, pushing to meet the station’s goal, doing everything we could to keep listeners engaged. And then, in a burst of enthusiasm, Andy Youso, Niki, and I made a bold pledge: if we hit our goal, we would jump into Lake Superior. 

We made a big deal out of it, laughing and daring people to make it happen. 

And they did. The goal was shattered.  

But…that’s where things got complicated. I had already left town by the time the challenge came due, which meant Andy and Niki braved the icy waters without me. I figured that was the end of it. Life moved on. We celebrated the win. 

But Andy? Andy did not move on. 

Any time my name came up, so did this unfinished business. “Lisa still hasn’t jumped in,” he’d remind me. Again and again and again. 

And the truth was? He was right. I had made a promise. I had said yes. And my yes needed to mean something. 

So I booked another flight to Minnesota. 

I stood on the edge of that freezing lake, feeling the wind bite through my jacket. I thought, Well, this is it. No backing out now. And then, I took a deep breath and jumped. 

And as the icy shock stole my breath, I couldn’t help but laugh. Because in that moment, it wasn’t just about a fundraiser or a bet—it was about integrity. About living out the kind of faith that does what it says. 

These days, people break commitments like they’re nothing. But what if we chose to be different? What if we decided that when we say we’ll do something, we actually do it? 

It might not always be easy, but that’s the kind of person I want to be.