2 Meters From The Ground

Growing up I’d always hear my pastor share an anecdote about a person who’d gone mountain climbing and slipped only to be left hanging by a chord. It was a very foggy day and as a result, his visibility was limited. As he hung there, the climber heard the voice of God ask him: “Do you trust me?” and the climber replied: “Yes, I do”. The story then goes on to say that God asked the climber to cut his chord in faith, but the climber refused. He decided to stay hanging there despite little to no chances of being rescued because he was felt safer knowing that the chord could hold him, than with the unknown he’d face if he’d decided to cut it. The climber suffered on account of being exposed to the elements and eventually perished. When the fog lifted, he was found hanging just two meters from the ground. Had he listened to the voice of God, he could’ve survived, but he preferred to go with what he knew than to step out on faith.

How many of us are guilty of being the climber in this story? We keep ourselves in certain situations because, while we may not be happy, we are familiar with it and that familiarity breeds a false sense of security. Like the old saying goes Better the devil you know, than the one you don’t.

I recently had a conversation with someone where we were discussing the passage where Peter walks on water (Matthew 14:22-33) and was asked: Where are you in this story? I saw myself in the boat waiting to see if he was able to do it before I went out and tried it for myself. Despite eventually almost drowning, Peter stepped out into the unknown. He literally took a step of faith, but most of us are like the climber, hanging two meters from something amazing.

I wanted to share this with you as it has been on my mind and in my heart. Times are changing. Perhaps with that change comes a step of faith but in order to do that, we must cut the chord that we cling on to so dearly. New chapters are always exciting, but we forget that in order to turn over a new leaf, a previous chapter must end. Through all this I’ve learned one thing: faith isn’t about knowing exactly what’s going to happen next, but rather trusting in WHO will make it happen. Be encouraged and have a little faith!

Joshua 1:9 ESV

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

Jeremiah 29:11 ESV

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.