The Giant Swing
At my daughter Karissa’s 13th birthday last Friday and we decided to celebrate by taking her friends to the YWAM (Youth With a Mission) Ropes Course in South Salem. I thought it was fitting for entering the teen years where they are beginning to take new steps of discovery and will face many decisions that will define who they are. What I didn’t realize was the lessons I would learn as my husband and I chaperoned this event.
One of the most challenging parts of the Ropes Course is called the Giant Swing. The Giant swing is 45 feet in the air with a platform you step off of, and swing out 80 feet into the trees. From the ground it looks easy and you really can’t imagine why people have such a hard time with it. But let me tell you, it is a different story when you get to the top, and are all strapped in ready to make a decision.
Climbing the 40 feet was no big deal, looking out into the trees was no big deal, sitting there and making a decision to “let go” WAS a BIG DEAL! The tension on the cable made me believe that I had no control, like it was going to pull me out without MY CHOICE. That was not a good feeling. It made me realize how comfortable I am with controlling my own life. After I made the decision to leave the platform, all I remember saying was, “Letting go was really hard!” But once I let go….I experienced…Freedom! I was soaring through the trees!
I thought of others who faced what I faced at the top of the platform
• Noah, when he decided to share what God had told him about the ark
• The Israelites when they faced the Red Sea.
• Abraham when He took his son to be sacrificed
• The Israelites when they marched around Jericho
• Peter when he got out of the boat
• Almost every time a great miracle took place there is stepping off place. A step of faith is required. Letting go is required
So here is what I learned:
• Letting go is hard!
• Letting go is a test of my faith.
• Letting go means, I give up control.
• Once I let go, there is Freedom!
• Freedom is a result of trust and rest.
Wow if we could just learn to “Let go” and trust the Lord with the things that we face. If we could release our fear of what is unknown to us and take steps of faith, we can experience that same freedom. We can soar to new heights!
So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:36
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