Skydiving... brought new insight into three kinds of faith; faith in self, faith in others, faith in God. I woke up early that Sunday. "Church" was to be something different that day. Every possible scenario made it's way through my imagination. I chose my outfit carefully. My lightweight, Columbia Sportswear pants and my favorite t-shirt, made the perfect combination. My zip-up hoodie covered the words across my back, "Will Work for God" but like the "S" on Superman's chest and the suit he wore under his Clark Kent facade, I knew they were there. |
This wonderful opportunity was given to Roger and me last year at this time. When he turned sixty and I turned fifty my family thought it a good idea to give us a gift certificate to Skydive Oregon, a skydiving adventure airport about 18 miles from our home. We took almost as much time as we could to prepare. Eleven months after receipt of our incredible generous birthday gift, we finally jumped. |
The skydiving company assigns you a tandem instructor about thirty minutes before you jump. When asked if I would like to jump with Josiah I humbly responded, “Sure, if he’ll have me.” I knew then he was my guy. He was the person who would hold my life in his hands. I had prayed through that part too. I wanted who God knew I needed in that position at that moment. Josiah must have been that guy. I was, as with my faith, committed. |
Unlike the hand game; Rock Paper, Scissors, where one thing will always have power over another, or where, when two like things meet, it’s a wash, A life lived in faith has a supreme force. Two of the three kinds of faith I have mentioned here can be beat. We all know; humans will, at some point, disappoint. Faith in God will infinitely out perform any amount of faith we have in ourselves or others.
Joshua 1:9 (Thanks David... this is a great one.)
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
Proverbs 3:5
Trust in the Lord with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.
Hebrews 11:7
By faith Noah, being warned by God about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.