Devotional-April 1
It was a calm winter morning, the snow flakes were lazily falling as we drove to the mountains. My family, Uncle, Cousin, and I were going skiing.
After an hour and a half drive we reached the slopes, found a parking spot, and tumbled out of our truck. Then we started the quarter mile trek to the lodge. When we arrived we got checked in and sized for ski’s and ski poles. After that my sister, mom, and I rushed off to our lesson, which I was very grateful for — being a beginner!
Our instructor had us first put on one ski and walk in a circle, then repeat with both ski’s on. After some more practice, maneuvers, and demonstrations it was time to try sliding down a little hill, and that’s when things got a little more interesting for me! He (our instructor) had us (the class) start at the top and slide down a short way then make a wedge with our ski’s so we would stop. Unfortunately I didn’t know how to wedge very well, so when he said “wedge” I kept on going and going, and GOING until — boom — I slid into another skier! Thankfully neither of us were hurt even though we were a little tangled up with one of my ski’s between his foot and his ski and my other ski under both of his ski’s! Eventually one of our instructors came over and helped me out.
I later learned one of the reasons I couldn’t stop my ski’s was I wasn’t leaning into them. As is natural tendency, I leaned away when things started going crazy therefore losing more control.
Finally after lots of help from my instructor, encouragement from my family, tears, and practice practice, practice, I was able to wedge, turn and ski down the little slope.
Now you might wonder how I see this as an object lesson, but here’s one spiritual lesson I drew. When life is going “smooth” you know those moments when the sun is shining, you’re listening to your favorite music, and being productive — all at the same time! That’s what I consider one “smooth” moment. Although I’m sure you also know those moments when life seems to be falling apart and you don’t even know how to think straight. It’s in those dark moments that I like to draw a lesson from my skiing experience.
Let’s think of skiing as our relationship with Jesus, so we’re going along then we hit one of “those” moments. Like with skiing we can have the natural tendency to pull away from Jesus, therefore sending things more out of control! If we would only lean into Jesus just like I needed to with my ski’s then we won’t gain more control (as with skiing) but Jesus will! And that’s the beautiful thing about this!
When Jesus has more control than things will be okay like Romans 8:28 says “It will work for good” and like one of my favorite verses says He will take hold of our hand and then we need not fear! ( Isaiah 41:13 )
