Perceived Danger

I recalled a memory earlier this week about the first — and last — time I ever went skiing. This particular sport has never appealed to me, but one winter when I was living in Central Asia, a group of friends talked me into joining them on a ski trip. The views from among the Tien Shen mountains were gorgeous. The snow a bright pristine white. My desire was still to watch the others, but with much encouragement I gave in and got ready to ski.

The boots were uncomfortable to stand in and the skis wanted to turn anyway but straight. Even so, with assistance I made it to the start line. “This is an easy slope,” my friend and coach told me. ” You can take it slow.” He had already instructed me on how to stand and move. Now, in readiness to go, he was smiling his efforts to spur me on.

I took off. I had my eyes focused as far as I could see, but wait! As far as I could see ended in a cliff edge! Oh, nooooo! Panic took my breath away! I could feel my chest tighten! Had I made a wrong turn? I didn’t know how this looming danger appeared, but I knew I had to stop and do it quick! My skis glided me closer to the cliff’s edge. Terror tightened its grip. I had no way to save myself except to fall over sideways. I threw myself onto the snow which stung my face as I twisted round and forward until I thankfully came to a stop — just at the cliff edge. Whew! That was definitely too close for comfort. In both relief and trepidation I slowly stood, bending slightly forward to peer over the side of the menacing cliff. I was astonished when I saw the sheer — one foot drop! Stretching into the distance was an expanse of snow covered earth which I had mistaken for the sky.

I still laugh, and I’m sure my friends have never forgotten my moment of panic. I thought I knew what I saw. I was certain of the danger. I should have trusted my instructor. After all, he knew the slopes well. He had been skiing since he was a boy. He would not make such a mistake as to send me over a cliff.

It’s the same in our spiritual worlds, isn’t it. Father tells us to go in a certain direction. We’re hesitant but with encouragement we take off. Even so, we can’t see the way clearly. We don’t know how the journey ends. The arch enemy, Satan, shouts, “there’s a cliff edge!” We panic. Instead of reminding ourselves of our Father’s Words; we, like Eve in the garden, focus on the words of the serpent. We give in to fear. That decision will fail us every time.

The enemy shouts, “cliff edge!” Father whispers, “I know the way you’re going: when I have tested you, you will come forth as gold” (Job 23:10 paraphrase mine). The shouts of the enemy causes panic. The whispers of our Father instills calm and peace in any storm. It’s a peace the world cannot give. It passes all human understanding. We can only have one coach. Let’s choose the One who loves us, the One who never makes a mistake, the One who knows the way in which He is leading us.