The Adventure of a Lifetime

If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people.”

The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

Exodus 33:13-14 (NIV)

A couple of years ago, my husband and I celebrated our 15th wedding anniversary. I let him plan everything. One of the activities that he had us scheduled for that day was a zip line tour. 2- 1/2hrs of zipping through the trees from heights as low as 15 feet above ground to as high as 90 feet above ground. Before we began, they put us in a harness, making sure we were strapped in properly and took us through training. Oh, by the way, I'm not a fan of heights.

On our first zip line, the one which they called the "bunny slope,” was 15 feet in the air and the platform where we were we would be landing was a platform that was connected to a tree. Sometimes during the tour, along with landing on platforms connected to trees, we would be required to cross suspended bridges and go up winding stairways that were also connected by way of tree. We were promised that we would see a waterfall and the local wildlife: birds, lizards, maybe even a snake.

On my first “zip,” I was scared, nervous, and unsure on how I would feel about the whole experience and how I would feel about my husband after everything was said and done. I, of course, made it to the other side safely. When I got to the second zip, while my reservations had lessened, they were still there. On my third, I had to pray. I had to ask God to show me how this can and does relate to my life, in whatever area He chooses to show me.

He put it into perspective of my gifting. My harness was my gift. My harness was uncomfortable and unfamiliar. When I let one of my guides know this, in so many words, she told me that I would have to get used to it. The rides would be shorter than even I expected and I would have to adjust as needed. Next, He showed the symbolism of the clip that connected my harness to the zip line. That clip was an indicator of what I was connected to—Jesus Christ. Next, the line that the clip connected to represented the journey in which I was assigned to take (especially if I wanted to make it to the other side safely and successfully). As I began to see it from God’s perspective, I recognized that the platforms, bridges, and winding stairways were temporary resting places. Some were simply there to provide entry to the next leg of the journey. Did some bridges intimidate me? Yes, but I had to keep moving if I wanted to get to the other side and finish the tour. The winding staircases? Sure, my rope even got stuck on one of the staircases at one point. But even in that, I recognized that my guides had been trained more extensively than I and had even done this tour a few times (go figure). So I had help; guidance. These guides represented the Holy Spirit, who goes before us and is always there to meet us.

As the journey progressed, I began to enjoy myself. I had gotten comfortable with my harness, or rather accepted the fact that this was a necessary item to my journey. As I crossed the bridges, taking my time of course, I would look down and around to see my surroundings; it was beautiful. When I it was my turn to zip through the trees, I remembered the procedure, and jumped off the platform when it was time.

I enjoyed myself and was sad when they told us that we were arriving at our last line. It was a great experience, one I’d never choose for myself, but definitely something I'm grateful for.

With God, the journey is never dull. It may be scary at times, but those are the times where our faith and endurance is increased. With Him, you’ll always be on the adventure of a lifetime.

2013