Momentum For Monday, July 25th 2022

“Now faith is confidence…” (Hebrews 11:1)

I recently went and did something called a "ropes course" with my niece and nephew. If you don't know what that is, let me tell you. The whole point is to navigate this course with different balance challenges without falling off the course while you are harnessed and attached to a cable from above. Now, if you don't like heights, this isn't for you because you are at least 50 ft off the ground and sometimes more depending on where you are in the course. Needless to say, if you don't like heights, this isn't for you.

So, here's the deal, when doing a ropes course, they harness you in completely. You have straps going around your legs, your waist, your chest, and your shoulders. Then they take this thick cable and attach it to you and that cable is attached to a rail above you.  

Now, I knew better. I don't like heights, but I also don't like to be controlled by fear. I push myself with things to try and break out my comfort zone anyway though. Sometimes, I don't like myself when I do this stuff (I'm kidding of course…kinda).  

I had been wanting to try this course out for like a year and never once did I think that it was a bad idea. Heck, the entire time we sat in line waiting to be strapped in I never thought it was a bad idea. However, when I got up there and started the course and realized there was no safety rail (which why would they when you are attached overhead by a harness?), I felt the nerves start. Then I started my first obstacle…shear panic set in. I could feel my palms get sweaty. My heart started to race. Why in my right mind would I think giving myself panic attacks would be fun??

It didn't matter that I knew that I was safe. I couldn't feel the tension of the cable attached to me to assure that. My basic instincts know that heights are dangerous, my nervous system took over and I was freaking out. But quitting was not an option, so I took a deep breath and kept pushing forward. I held on to the attached cable with a death grip the entire time.

By the time I got to the end and did the open-air zip line, I was feeling more at ease. At no point was I ever relaxed, but it did get easier. And as thick-headed as I am, I'll probably do it again at some point. 

It's hard going against every natural instinct you have. It really tripped me out to trust the cable attached to me when I couldn't feel the tension of it's connection. I had to have faith in the engineering of the rig I was attached to. 

Maybe you've never ziplined or done a ropes course, but how often have you had to trust completely in God when you felt no reassurance? That's faith. If you or I need confirmation from God to do something we know is good and biblical every time we feel prompted, we will be waiting our entire lives and never be used by God.

Get out of your comfort zone this week. Ask God to help you walk in faith to encourage and help others. Or go to a ropes course, but that may not be the easier option.

“For we walk by faith, not by sight…”

(2 Corinthians 5:7)