Matthew 6:34a – Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. (NIV)

Hang gliding behind a power boat is an exciting, relatively new sport whereby a powerboat tows a twenty-foot kite with two people harnessed into it and pulls them to dizzying heights.

A few years ago, I tried this sport over spectacular Lake Muskoka, Ontario, Canada, with an accomplished "pilot" named Mike. When the speedboat achieved 30 mph, the kite, with Mike and I firmly harnessed to it, was abruptly released. A 3,500-foot-long rope quickly unravelled from the boat, bringing us rapidly to an elevation of 2,500 feet.

High above the islands and shimmering waters of Lake Muskoka, the speedboat pulling us looked the size of a bug, but still tugged us along, buffeted by a powerful wind. Suddenly, the nylon rope connecting us to the boat snapped under that powerful force. We felt an immediate and intense jolt, as we watched the rope — our lifeline to the world — dropping in the wind. Mike immediately shouted a loud and frightening expletive. I assumed, for at least a moment, that death was imminent, and that we were about to plummet, out of control, to earth.

But the kite began to fly as it was intended to do. Mike's concern was apparently for the safety of the falling rope, not our own. He turned to me, offering reassuring words, before I began to enjoy our spectacular descent safely back to earth in a series of wide, lazy spirals. That flight was one of the most exhilarating adventures of my life.

Initially, I had been scared to death. But when I heard the calm assurance of the pilot, I knew there was nothing to fear, and that I could then fully appreciate the blessings which surrounded me.

How like life! The world can be a frightening place with many tugs pulling on our life, often with strength and in directions with which we are uncomfortable. Sometimes, we might feel like we are in freefall. But when we connect to the calm assurance of the One in control of all of life, we realize that there is nothing to fear, and we can enjoy the journey as God intended us to experience it. He alone, who took control of the wind on the Sea of Galilee, is able to provide calm when we might feel alone, abandoned, disconnected, or frightened.

Prayer: Loving God, we experience Your presence in so many ways, yet too often, we try to go it alone. Help us to connect to Your love always, so that the worries of this world melt away. Amen.

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About the author:

Rick Potter <rpotte@hotmail.com>
Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada
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