Up, Up and Gone!
It is always great to go on a vacation and just as good to return. This vacation was different because of COVID 19. The pandemic really limited our destinations and activities. One activity my wife and I were able to engage in was a Hot Air Balloon ride. She was ecstatic about this opportunity. I, on the other hand, have a fear of falling that reveals itself when I find myself high off the ground. If I climb on a roof something inside of me, I call it gravity, makes me feel like I am falling. It is a fear based on nothing real. I have never fallen off a roof. I began to wonder to myself how was I going to do standing in a wicker basket as it lifted off and reached heights of about 1,000 feet off the ground.
The morning came, it was a beautiful sunny morning with a few wisps of smoke in the air. We made our way to a field at the end of a Cul-de-sac with a two-track road that led to an empty field. In that field a balloon attached to a basket was beginning to fill as two other couples and the pilot watched on. Once the balloon was ready and we had received our instructions the seven of us climbed into the basket. After some more instructions and our questions answered. The Pilot began to open the burners and heat the air inside the balloon gently lifting the balloon off the ground. While it was not fast, it still did not feel like it took long before we began to rise above the ground. It was an amazing 90 minutes in the air searching for animals on the ground, watching jets fly by at eye level and gazing to the west to the plume of smoke from the Grizzly Creek fire in Colorado. The landing itself was uneventful. Truth be told the hardest part was climbing in and out of the basket.
The entire time I was high above the ground I had no fear. I never felt like I was about to fall. I have been wondering why ever since. There I was 1,000 feet above the ground in a wicker basket attached with rope to a balloon that was nothing more than a thin material inflated by hot air. Yet, I have never felt safer. The best conclusion I have come too is there was something calming in the mass of that balloon and the serenity of a smooth quiet flight. Something that gave me the feeling of security and not falling.
This made me think of a bible verse. Psalm 46:10 that says, “Be still and know that I am God” In the midst of our fears there is comfort found in getting alone, making time to be quiet and meditate on who is God. It is that quiet place where I connect to the presence of the Almighty and instead of being buffeted by the storms of life, I find peace and comfort. When I reflect on that moment, I realize that fear is gone. Not because I have overcome it but because the presence of the All-powerful God has quashed it rendering it impotent.
Overcoming fear is not mind over matter. Overcoming fear is about being alone in the presence of the Almighty God finding in Him the victory over fear. Did you catch that. Overcoming fear is found in being still in the presence of God.
How can you find this victory? Make the time to get alone with God. Read scripture, a good place to start is Psalm 46. Prayerfully consider the words that describe God’s character and strength. As you meditate on those words, give praise to Him for who He is, I believe you will find peace, quiet and serenity. I believe you will find that the presence of God in your life makes fear impotent and best of all it forgotten.
I encourage you get into the basket of life that is attached to the Almighty God and the fears, worries and anxiety of this life will begin to lose their power. Enjoy the view of a life connected with God. If you have any questions on how to do this please feel free to email me.
