At Sharp Top Cove today, I climbed a 50-foot wall then rappelled down the other side. Rappelling was easy. The climb up was a little harder. My son, Rob, and my wife, Robyn also did it.
Having done just enough of these types of activites, I know I won’t get hurt. Is it possible? Sure. Is it likely? Absolutely not. Every safety precaution is followed by trained operators.
There were others today who were “non-believers.” They’d never done anything like this, so they did not believe they were totally, completely, 100% safe at all times. They were non-believers in what the operators told them, what their friends told them and even what their own eyes told them. They clearly watched others climb and rappel without getting hurt, but still they found it difficult to believe.
One of my favorite things to wath is when someone full of fear finally steps off the tower to rappel to the ground. I love seeing them accomplish something that just a few minutes earlier had terrified them.
Most of us won’t face 50-foot climbing walls any time soon, but we will face obstacles that can seem insurmountable. And if we dwell on them long enough, we become paralyzed with fear and anxiety. Believing the truth about God and our circumstances frees us from fear.
In Romans 8:28-39, Paul writes:
“…in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
“If God is for us, who can be against us?”
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
What are you facing today? The loss of your job? Foreclosure on your house? A rebellious child? A loveless marriage?
What is it for you?
Be reminded of the truth. God is at work in your circumstances. Right now. He’s with you. And He promises to work all things together for the good of those who love Him. If God is for you, who can be against you? Think about that. God is for you. He’s on your side and nothing, absolutely nothing, can ever separate you from His love for you.
Preoccupation with our circumstances leads only to fear and worry. It’s just like the campers standing on top of the tower, too afraid to step off. It seems the longer they stare at the ground and think about what could happen, the stronger their fear becomes. Sometimes it takes a lot of coaxing and encouragement to get them off the tower.
What tower do you need to step off of today? You’ve trembled and stared long enough. Take the step of faith you need to take. God has you safely harnessed to Him. He will not let you fall.