Eyes Wide Open

 Over Thanksgiving break, I zip lined.  Just in case you do not know the term, allow me to provide some background on the concept.

First, according to Wikipedia, other names for zip lining are aerial runway or death slide.  If the names alone don’t shock you, just know that the user is attached to the cable by wearing a harness.  The harness is attached to a removable “clamp.”  You are required to wear a helmet, and gloves would be best.

The cables, on which you are clamped, start at heights over 30 feet and can top out at 130 feet or more.  Huge mats can be used to “cushion” your approach at the end of each stop.  (They work….trust me!)

After a brief orientation, 18 people, which included my sister, her husband, and their 10-year-old son, were driven up the “Green Mile.”  Our guides (comedians by day) asked questions like, “do you have life insurance” or “did you check your helmet for cracks?” One even asked that “we not knock down any of their trees on the way down!”

With my heart pounding in my ears, it was my turn, and I had to let go.  I took a deep breath and zipped off the first platform. I kept my eyes open the entire time because I decided that since I was going to do this it would be with eyes wide open.

What a wonderful experience! I squealed, screamed and laughed all the way down the mountain. (I fought back tears of joy too.  The view was overwhelming, and I just couldn’t take it all in. So the tears were about to roll.)

Although it was a fast ride, God allowed me to view the “world” from a different perspective. “Oh God, I want to experience life with you that way,” I thought.  After all, this was the closest that I had ever been to an eagle’s-wings-experience (Isaiah 40:31).

As I keep in step with the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:25), I know that my perspective will be different.  At times I will squeal and laugh with delight; scream because I am frightened, and yes, there will be tears (of joy and/or pain). 

Nevertheless, faith is the zip line of the Christian faith (at least for me).  As I step out, harnessed in His Word and clamped on the line by the Holy Spirit’s power, I will view life from His perspective—with eyes wide open of course, for I know that I am in for the ride of my life.   

 Father, you will be faithful to complete the work that you’ve begun in your children.  Help us to be faithful to you and your Word so that people can see You in all that we do.  Sure, we will get it wrong often, but may we spur each other on with words that are stepping stones instead of stumbling blocks.  Thank you for your love, forgiveness, patience, peace, protection…an endless list of gifts.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

A note of correction:  “A Thankful Heart,” November 20th blog post, contained an error.  I referred to Malachi, but the correct reference is Micah.  The verses were correct as listed.   I have already corrected it so that you would see the intended reference.