KEEP YOUR HEAD UP!

        When friends visited us this winter, we took them to watch parachute jumping at nearby Eloy, AZ.  We were not able to see the normal dozens of jumpers light up the sky due to heavy cloud cover and FAA regs that prohibit them parachuting through clouds. A few sky jumpers did open their chutes below the clouds, so it was still fun and colorful to see. But most sky jumpers came there wanting to jump out at 13,000 feet, and then freely fall 8,000 or more feet before opening their chutes and landing in front of spectators. 

        After lunch at the Bent Prop Cafe, we decided to check out Sky Venture Arizona, a building nearby which has a huge vertical wind tunnel in which people can experience simulated skydiving. It’s a place for the young and strong to don their colorful suits and go into the wind tunnel to practice, while the older and wiser folks (us) watch to see how it is done. 

        Two to four people move into the 120 mph wind tunnel, flying up and down, left and right, flipping over or even “sitting on air” as they learned their moves. They were practicing movements needed to control their body during a freefall before the parachute is opened. First and foremost they were taught always to keep their heads up and backs arched, relying on hand or leg movements to propel themselves this way and that. Turning a hand or head, or lifting a leg or an arm would send them in a new direction. 

        As I watched, it occurred to me our everyday lives are often the same. We are easily buffeted by social currents and may live at the mercy of unfortunate events. Minor choices that can result in major changes. Poor choices, accidents, or the actions of others can alter our life in significant, even permanent ways. We must learn to recognize which decisions are helpful and which are not, as well as how to react to them. 

        Jesus helps us see what is most important in life. He wants us to look to Him for direction as we live our lives. He said, “For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.” (Matthew 5:16) We need to heed God’s Word which will help us go the right direction, as well as have the right faith in our hearts. Above all, give thanks that Jesus is ready, willing and able to forgive us the evil we do and the good we fail to do. 

Keeping our heads up and looking to Jesus will show us the right path.

Rev. Bob Tasler, www.bobtasler.com