In June of 2023, my family and I had the opportunity to go on a cruise that involved a stop at the island of Roatan, an island off the coast of Honduras. One of the attractions that this island is known for is for its wonderful area for zip lining. In case you aren’t aware of what zip lining is, it’s basically a system of cables, usually made out of stainless steel, that are attached between two points with one side typically higher than the other side. The person riding on this must wear a safety harness which contains a pulley that attaches to the cable and you have the ability to control how fast or slow you move down these cables.

My son and I wanted to go on this adventure while my wife and my daughter wanted to go on a snorkeling adventure. So the two of us set out on a father and son adventure up into the mountains of this island, looking forward to the activity that day.

On arrival we went through some basic instructions, got suited up, and were on our way with a group of about 20 other people. We went down a system of 13 different cables down the side of the mountain, enjoying the rush that each one brought but also focusing on braking at the appropriate times to avoid a serious accident. I was in control of my outcome on each cable.

We completed the course and then they said we have one more cable to go on and they proceeded to take us back up the mountain again. We get to the top and in a separate area nearby they have a ride called the Zuperman. This is a 1,500 foot zip line that soars over the jungle and gives you an incredible view of the ocean water on your way down. The difference is that you have to wear a special harness on this one that basically covers your whole body. They lay you down on your stomach, and they attach you to cables and they push you off the side of the mountain. They have two separate cables about 10 feet apart so you can experience it with someone. “Our team on the other side will catch you, enjoy your ride” is the last thing you hear.

Flying down a side of the mountain and  looking out over an ocean with your arms stretched out to the side was an experience that I will never forget. See, in that moment, I got to look around at the beauty around me and didn’t have to spend my time trying to control everything. I had lost control and had to trust in someone else for my outcome in the end. How many times do we miss a blessing in our own lives because we are trying to control everything?

Proverbs 3:5-6 says “Trust in the Lord with all thy heart. In all thy ways, acknowledge him, and He shall direct thy path.”

Are you letting God direct your path or are you trying to control everything on you own?

I don’t have an impressive story of salvation and coming to Jesus like some others do. I was saved at the age of 5, while listening to my granddad preach at a revival at my dad’s church, I had spent several days talking and asking questions about it and I made the decision the final night of the revival. I’ve spent my whole life being involved in various church ministries wherever I’m at. If I had to look over my life and sum it up in one word I would hope it would be the word steadfast.

I’ve been through some major battles in my life, being a preachers kid can be hard. Being in 8 schools, including 3 in one year, is hard. Moving around and losing friends is hard. Having your marriage tested is hard. Hearing the words from your wife that she has cancer is hard. Having to tell your kids that mom has cancer is unbelievably hard. Watching your wife have multiple types of cancer in her life is excruciatingly hard. And currently, watching your son want to walk away from God is agonizingly hard.

I love the song It is Well/Through It All. In that song it states “Through it all, my eyes are on You.” I don’t know what lies ahead in my life, what twists and turns and valleys and mountain tops that will come. What I do know is that I trust in God no matter what. I may not understand why things happen or don’t happen, but that’s not where my focus needs to stay. My focus should be on trusting in the one who said He would direct me and that will allow me to rest in the arms of Jesus come what may.

I’ll end with these thoughts for you to ponder in your own life.
1. What area in my life am I controlling my way and missing a blessing by not giving it to Jesus?
2. When storms arise am I resting in the arms of Jesus or do I walk away from him when I don’t understand.