Leaps of Faith

The August Bank Holiday weekend always brings back memories – something along the lines of ‘all’s well that ends well’!
On the holiday Monday a few years ago, our daughter’s 21^st birthday request was to get the family together at Go Ape (a high wire tree top ‘adventure’). At this point I should mention that although I am brave in many ways, my courage doesn’t lend itself to heights so I was definitely going the extra mile!

It was one It was one of those crisp early mornings, cold but bright. We gathered for the obligatory safety briefing and were warned of all the dangers (as well as how to avoid them). At that point my knees started to shake, I think more from fear than cold!
But you know what, it turned out to be one of the most exhilarating times of my life. I was on an adrenaline high for days afterwards, and it was because I’d faced my fears (as well as having a fab time with the offspring!)

Fear has two possible responses: Forget Everything And Run… or Face Everything And Rise.

At Go Ape I learnt so much from rising above the fear and venturing into the tree tops. I discovered that inwardly naming my fears put them into perspective; I discovered the power of ‘just do it’; I discovered the enabling that comes from group encouragement. I climbed heights and crossed breadths in many different ways!

Truth is though, my fear at Go Ape was unfounded. Yes, I could have fallen, but if I had, the safety line that is clipped on at the beginning of each challenge, would have prevented serious injury.

‘Always stay attached’ was the mantra given in the high wire adventure briefing, and as a believer, I find this useful when facing everyday fears.

I remind myself:
Always stay attached to God.
Deliberately ‘clip on’ at the start of the day, and reconnect as necessary.
Notice the footholds, and use them.
Feel for the grasping points, and hang on.
– And every so often there’ll be a zip wire that will be so exhilarating, you’ll shout yessssssss!

Truth is… ‘Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you’ 1 Peter 5:7