A modern day parable about letting go and trusting

This is one of my favorite stories, a modern day parable. I’ve told it so many times that I have lost count. Sometimes I tell it in a slightly different style with a punch line from the climber: “Is there anybody else up there?” Life is treacherous at best. We shouldn’t try “climbing” it by ourselves. Learning to trust God seems to be the hardest part.

Here is the story of a climber, determined to reach the summit of a high mountain. After years of preparation, he began his adventure. Only he journeyed alone, because he wanted all the glory.

He began he ascent, and as daylight faded, he decided to continue until night fell.

The night fell heavy as he was overcome by total darkness. The moonlight and starlight were hidden within the clouds. There was zero visibility.

He was only a few yards away from the summit when he slipped climbing a ridge and fell off, falling at a frightening speed. While falling, he could only see shadow-like figures in the darkness and felt the tug of gravity sucking him down. In those anguishing moments, he saw his life pass before his eyes.

He thought death was near when suddenly he felt the tightening of the rope around his waist that tied him to a nail embedded in the rock wall of the mountain.

In desperation, suspended in mid-air, he screams "GOD, please Help me!"

Then unexpectedly, a deep voice from heaven responds: "What would you have me do?"

He replies, "Save me!"

"Do you really think I can save you?"

"Of course, my Lord."

"Well then, cut the rope."

There was a moment of silence, then the man tightened the rope around his waist.

The mountain rescue team tells a story of a man they found frozen to death, his hands wrapped firmly around a rope tied to his waist...hanging two feet from the ground.

So, how tight are your ropes? Would you let go?

It is heard often – “let go and let God” – but it is easier said then done, but like riding a bicycle the more you do it the easier it becomes.

Quote for today: To trust Him means, of course, trying to do all that He says. There would be no sense in saying you trusted a person if you would not take his advice. Thus if you have really handed yourself over to Him, it must follow that you are trying to obey Him. But trying in a new way, a less worried way. ~C. S. Lewis

NOTE: There will be no postings on this blog January 9-16, 2010 because I will be enjoying a Caribbean Cruise with my spouse of 45-years and some friends.