the Christian life is like…skydiving?

“These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.”  

~John 15:11

I was just looking at some photos from a couple of years ago when my husband went skydiving for his birthday. Just viewing the series of 179 images brought me through a rollercoaster of emotions: anticipation, dread, thrill, fear, anxiety, and joy, to name a few. Then I started thinking about how the whole adventure can be likened to the Christian life. Let me explain with words as I literally look through the pics…

The first pics are of my hubby in the airplane, filled with a mix of excitement and terror. This is like our life as earth-dwellers, isn’t it? We fly through this world making choices that bring us to new heights. And sometimes our journey has sudden dips that make us a bit nauseated. There are times of exhilaration and times of fear. (Now maybe to make this part of the analogy more accurate, we’d be flying the plane ourselves. But then there’s the whole pre-destination vs. free will argument that could ensue, so I’ll keep this metaphor at a 30,000-foot view—pun intended.)

Then I came to the shots of the actual jump from the airplane. Ah, the moment of real faith. He exited the known to soar into the unknown. All control out of his hands—he surrendered all. This is like the moment we put our trust in Jesus as Lord and Savior! We give up trying to do life our way (and the world’s way) and yield to the Lord’s sovereignty. It’s definitely a leap of faith, giving it all to Jesus. A step into the unknown. We leave the comfort of doing things like everyone else for the thrill of doing things God’s way. Is there trepidation? Yes! Are there stomach-drops of fear? Of course! Oh, but this is when life’s journey amps up, with joys unspeakable and peace that passes understanding.

I didn’t mention this before, but it really brings home the faith analogy: When he leapt from the airplane into the atmosphere, my husband was not alone. He was actually safely and tightly strapped to an expert skydiver. This man helped direct the freefall, knowing when to move his arms and legs certain ways. He also wore an altimeter, determining the right time to pull the cord to open the chute. Then, although my hubby’s emotional balance may have swung from fear to joy (knowing the death-defying freefall was over), the guy on his back still controlled the rest of the journey to earth. (Are you smiling with the ah-ha moment yet?)

When we take our leap of faith into the Christian life, it can be scary not knowing what we’re getting ourselves into. But, sweet friend, we are never on our own in this adventure! Jesus is strapped to our back, so to speak. In fact, we are given God in the Person of the Holy Spirit to live in us, to guide and direct us through every moment. Yes, there is pain and fear and anxiety. But He’s got us, so even through our tribulations and challenges of the world, we can confidently know that He has overcome the world (John 16:33)! He’s right there with us to comfort us, quell our fears, and wipe away our tears. And we can know that this adventure holds incredible pleasures, highs of joy, and deep satisfaction. And the proverbial “Man on our back” is there to belly laugh right along with us.

Now, I realize this skydiving analogy isn’t perfect. But I do hope in it you sense the delight of the Christian life—and the fact that you are never, ever alone (Romans 8:38-39). Or if you’ve been walking (soaring) with the Lord for a while, I pray that you’re able to recapture the sheer thrill of when you first took that leap. And what’s really cool to think of is where this analogy can go, especially as I flip to the photos of when my husband’s feet hit solid ground. Maybe it’s because I’m currently studying Revelation and reading a theological book on Heaven…but, oh, when Jesus speaks into existence the New Heaven and New Earth, I imagine our reaction to look similar to my husband’s face in those pics. It reads something like, “Wow, that experience was unbelievably thrilling…but, I’m so very glad to be Home, where the real adventure awaits.”

Lord, help me remember that You are with me through my journey through this broken world, giving me strength, courage, and hope. And remind me daily that the Real Adventure with You is yet to come.