Up, Up in the Sky
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Never before in my life, and never since, have I sat on a ledge like that. My feet had no place to stand, and the closest place where I could put my feet on solid ground was almost three miles (five kilometers) away. Yes, 15,000 feet (4,572 meters) separated my feet from where they were dangling and solid ground. With that knowledge, I should have been petrified with fear. But it was something quite different from terror that I felt.
I was excited. It helped that I was not sitting alone on the ledge. In fact, the other person and I were like one at this moment. We were so tightly attached it was hard to breathe. He gently but firmly pushed my head toward his shoulder and told me to cross my arms across my chest and close my eyes. He leaned forward, and at that moment, we both, as one, plunged into the enormous space that separated us from the solid ground below. It was perfect bliss. When I opened my eyes, the view was spectacular.
I saw a lake, mountaintops, seashore, villages, trees, and clouds. After about a minute of this adrenaline-infused free fall, the tandem skydiver pulled a cord, and we were thrust upward. What a rush! So exciting! We were no longer hurtling toward the ground, our faces flapping in the wind. Now we found ourselves peacefully, gracefully coming down with the open parachute stretched out above. If only we could slow down this moment and make it last longer! In order to enjoy this experience, I had to make the decision to trust my tandem jumpmaster and the pilot. I felt assured that they were highly trained and very experienced.
I was literally placing my life in their hands.
The memory of that experience—the excitement I had felt—kept a smile on my face for days. Even now, years afterward, it still warms my heart.
Oh, that I would trust my Lord Jesus so completely.
To be so connected to Him that we are one! How would that impact my journey on this earth? May we all move through life with peace and grace, firmly connected to our Savior.
Danijela Schubert
