Ziplines and Alligator-Infested Waters
Last spring, I found this mug in a gift shop after taking a zipline tour with my family in south Florida. At the time, there were so many unknowns about the future, and often I'd start to worry over things in my life that I couldn't control. Isn't that the scary part - not being in control and having to trust that whomever is knows what they're doing?
It's not much different than being in the passenger seat while someone else is driving (or having to follow the instructions of a zipline guide). In either situation, I'm taking the risk of getting hurt, lost, or dying (zipping over rocks and alligator infested water is totally safe, right?). While it's true that I would be much safer avoiding riding in a car (or going ziplining), it's also true in those terrifying moments I'm learning to trust the wisdom of the driver (or the ziplining instructor).
Ziplining with three of my siblings and my mom, April 2021
I've found, however, that I trust the wisdom of both the driver of the car & the ziplining instructor far more easily than I trust the wisdom of God. Oh, sure, I trust His wisdom when it pertains to the life of everyone else - but my life? I get scared when things don't turn out the way I thought they would, and I begin to worry over every worst-case-scenario and how to handle it. I overthink myself to tears over things that may or may not ever happen, because it’s easier to overthink than to set my mind on the Word of God.
Things that are true.
Noble.
Right.
Pure.
Lovely.
Admirable.
Excellent.
Praiseworthy.
When I saw this mug at that gift shop, I was reminded of a verse I've clung to since I was a little girl:
“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.”
Lately I've forgotten this truth - that all things work together for the good of those who love God. There are still many unknowns…and I prefer knowing things, lol. There is one thing I do know, however, that I'm continuing to learn: I'm safer in God's hands than in my own. I can trust Him, and so can you.
...and not to spoil the ending, but everything is going to be okay.
