This past weekend I went on a little getaway with a group of women I share life with. It was an amazing God filled time of reflection and renewing. On Saturday we woke to enjoy a delicious hearty breakfast and then we met a team of people who were taking us on an adventure. We were already on top of a mountain both literally and physically but we were going to do a bit more climbing until we reached what I determined was pretty much the top. The road was crazy with ruts, sliding rocks and straight off drops on one side, you know the “meet your maker” type cliffs. On our way up my heart was racing and I immediately was feeling stress and fear grip my body, although that could have had something to do with the car sliding backwards with no traction, regardless I wondered what in the world I was getting myself into. Perhaps I should have stayed back in the safety of the lodge sipping hot tea and eating biscuits, which I did get to do this past weekend and it was quite lovely. Our hostess for the weekend was originally from England so it was superb hospitality. When we crested the top of the mountain there was a flat grassy area and almost immediately I had all my wits back.
We started by playing a little ball game which was silly but quite fun. After later pondering I have decided that the game served as a quick distraction so you would forget the road you just travelled to get there. I am really starting to understand all this psychology stuff in life. I am a smart cookie! After our quick little change of focus game, we went to get safely harnessed up to the zip line. I was quite excited as I have always wanted to do a zip line and I found it as fun and invigorating as I expected to. I already am hoping for the next time that will maybe be a bit bigger and longer. After our zip lining fun came to an end we were moved to the next location. I sat down on a picnic bench and immediately assessed the situation. I looked high up and saw the ropes course. My mind instantly raced with a list of excuses of why I could not do this. I was searching deep to try to come up with a medical condition that would prevent me from joining. I realized I had nothing! Literally within the next 10-15 minutes I am harnessed up and climbing a telephone pole! Mind you I do not even like climbing a ladder, which I had already done successfully that day, I mean come on isn’t that enough! As I ascended I never looked down. I kept my eyes looking up at the next safe place to grab on to, which those little rungs were not very big either, I may add. Much sooner than I expected I made it to the top where I was to venture across the rope.
It was at this next spot that time froze and everything looked like an obstacle far too big for me to overcome. My go-to verse is Philippians 4:13, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I had already recited it several times in my head this day. No matter how much sweet talk and bible verse reciting I was doing my body was not moving! It was in complete terror mode. I literally thought I would be staying there until Jesus returned. My heart rate on my fitbit was going crazy, what in the world have I done. Below me, very far down below me was a host of people cheering me on. Encouraging me to just be brave and let go of the telephone pole with my left arm. They assured me they had me and even if I fell I would be safe. No matter what was said I was simply gripped with terror.
In a few seconds I felt, accomplished that I made it up the telephone pole, I felt fear that I made it up the telephone pole, I felt if I fell they would catch me but probably after my body and face smashed into the telephone pole and now I am clinging on for dear life to the same thing I hate at the moment, you guessed it…the telephone pole! All the voices not only below me but in my own head were shouting at me! The voices below me shouting that I could do it, the voices in my head shouting that I couldn’t. A few seconds later Ashely, the one who was in charge in a very calm voice tells everyone to be quiet. All I could hear for a moment was the rustle of the trees and my heart pounding in my own head, calmly Ashely commanded me to listen to her. It was not a demanding command it was a sweet, calm, quiet, I have got you command. It was very much the way I would envision Jesus talking to me. When I really began to listen to her I made the move toward letting go and reaching for the rope that seemed so far away. It was slow and still did not come easy but I did it nonetheless.
My venture up that telephone pole, across the rope and back down to the solid ground was much like my relationship with Jesus. He knows I am capable, he made me that way. He knows I listen far too much to the noise around me than to his still, quiet, calm voice which if I will just listen He will always lead me to where I will be safe. Satan is a liar and he wants to keep us trapped and stuck with fear. Psalms 108:13, With God’s help we will do mighty things, for he will trample down our foes. God’s power works in and through us. He desires to strike down fear and anxiety. He has MIGHTY things for us to do! Stop getting hung up on the telephone pole!
Checking this one off my bucket list!
Until Next Time…
robynstroup 
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