If you know me it probably won’t surprise you that I’ve done some pretty dumb things in my life. One I’ve shared before about ‘free-hand climbing.’ I’ll just say this, unless you have an aversion to life or a death wish, don’t think about it! Spelunking (caving), whitewater rafting, canoing, indoor skydiving (I’ll explain if you ask), climbing wall, bungee, repelling (negative, traditional & Australian) etc… are all things that seemed a good idea at the time. I’m not particularly a daredevil by nature, but looking back seems I had more time & energy than sense!
When I used to work with teenagers I took a group to an area in northwest AR called Whiterock, where we repelled. (I’m really amazed that parents actually let there teens get anywhere near me!!) Lest you think I’m a total buffoon, I didn’t just light off into this adventure without planning, preparation or precaution. I had a group of EMT/paramedics that led rescue missions train & help us in the repelling.
If you’ve ever been repelling or know anything about it, you wear a harness, or ‘Swiss seat’, that has a D-ring or clasp connecting your harness with the repelling rope. Someone goes first & holds the end of the rope firmly. If you lose your footing or grasp the person on the ground pulls the rope taught & you immediately stop your 100mph decent! Good to have. Good to know. That person is called a ‘belay’. As you start over the precipice you yell, “On repel.” You wait for the response from below, “On belay” to assure that your bud below is not asleep or otherwise distracted! As you go over the wall you also lean straight out & ‘test the rope.’ Believe me it takes faith to a whole new level!
Once I had the EMT guys & a group of teens on a 60’ sheer wall in Whiterock national forest. I was the first over to run belay for the others. Fortunately for me, one of the EMT guys named Alan was anchored off about 10’ down the wall to help the students. As I went over the wall I slipped on the canvas used to protect the rope from the sharp cliff edge. I began to fall & turn head first. That’s a direction you don’t want to be because you CAN’T break with your repelling rope. Alan, who weighed in at around 240, just grabbed me & stopped me. Again, it took faith to another whole new level! I descended safely & helped the students as I took the belay position.
That story has come back to me many times in my life. I felt as if I were heading over the cliff with no one on belay. Thankfully, God has ALWAYS grabbed me & helped me to safety. That’s when I’m required to help others as I’ve been helped!
If you ever plan to really follow God, it’s going to take more than just ‘Sunday School’ stories. You must truly live out your faith. Here’s a couple of scriptures that will paint a picture of what ‘faith’ really is:
“Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.” Hebrews 11:1 NLT
"It is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to Him must believe that God exists and that He rewards those who sincerely seek Him." Hebrews 11:6 NLT
I have no idea what is going on in your life now. I don’t know what new areas God is taking you into. I do know this; if you follow Him you will find a new, living realization of His love & care for you that you never knew before. You will find Real Faith where it was just talk before. It separates & spells out your belief from just ‘so many words.’ I urge you to follow Him to new adventures. Any questions about this exciting life of faith feel free to contact me. If you have a story of faith you want to share contact me too. Love to hear it!
Carry the Cross
Dave
CONTACT INFO:
www.myspace.com/davejacksonnewport.
Dave Jackson on facebook ASUN website www.bcmasunewport.org
Dave Jackson-Campus Minister djackson@absc.org
Cell: 870-217-9376 Dave’s Desk - http://bcmasunewport.blogspot.com
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