Article July 6, 2009 Issue

Do you trust Me?

BY KERSTYN BATTENBERG

Safety harness tightened and ready, helmet on, there she stood—50 feet above ground on the tree platform.

I was her instructor. It was her 40th birthday, and she was committed to overcoming a fear of heights. On this specific ropes course element, her task was to walk the cable while reaching for alternating ropes that hung above her head for balance. The ropes were strategically spaced out so that she would really have to stretch in order to move along the cable. Courageously, she began the challenge.

For this woman to move forward, she had to completely let go of the previous rope she'd been holding. It was impossible for her to reach the next rope while still grasping the one behind her. As I stood from the ground, watching her move slowly along the wire, her legs trembling—all the while safe in a harness—I was reminded of figurative "ropes" in my own life, and precious lessons I'd learned about trusting God.