Step off the deep end with God
by PASTOR RON AULBACH
BridgeWay Community Church
“Go ahead and step off the platform when you’re ready,” the scruffy 26-year-old tour guide informed me.
“But are you sure it’s hooked on right?” I responded with a touch of fear in my voice.
“Yup, just step off when you’re ready sir.”
“You’re sure this cable is gonna hold me?” I stalled as best I could.
“It will hold you, just step off the platform. Others are waiting sir.”
It was one of those moments where I just had to think about it. I was standing 20 stories up over a river gorge, connected to a thin cable stretching over 1,000 feet to another small platform on the other side of this mountain. In Canada they call this zip-lining, but I still affectionately refer to it as voluntary suicide. What was I thinking? In a matter of 29 seconds, I would travel above this river valley, zipping along at death-defying speeds, and completely out of control—my control that is. And, I had put my complete trust in a thin wire, carabiner, and a tour guide who confessed to me that this wasn’t his real passion in life—he wanted to be a pro surfer. Way too much information to process as I stood on that little platform, with the decision to take a step into thin air or chicken out. I thought for a moment how my wife might spend the life insurance policy, then the strangest thing happened. I stepped off the platform.
Turns out, the experience was absolutely amazing! Zip-lining back and down this mountain above a frothy river was something that is impossible to put into words. After a few zips, my confidence started to grow and I was gaining more control, flipping upside down, and genuinely enjoying the ride. It was exhilarating, a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but it required I take a risk and go for it.
I got to thinking about faith and living a life that really matters. How often have I stood on the edge of a big decision or a turning point in my life and just needed to think about it? And God was right there saying, “You’ll be fine, just step off when you’re ready. I got ya.”
“Be strong and courageous, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go,” (Joshua 1:9). When God calls you to risk something, He is also right there to make sure you’re hooked up and ready to fly!
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