The Narrow Path

Hannah watched as two people in a harness began escalating higher and higher in the sky. After a brief pause they released swinging like a pendulum back and forth. Hannah’s mouth dropped open faster than the swing dropped the people. She stood in complete disbelief.

“We’re doing that? Are you out of your mind?” She thrust her hand toward the swing.

Surely she remembered telling him that she was a dancer, not a daredevil. Did he mix the two up? There was no way humanly possible she was going to go on that thing! What happened if the cable snapped? She looked at the possible landing destination. Firm, hard, unforgiving concrete. She winced.

“You told me once that you wanted to fly like an angel. Well I think the one hundred and eighty foot tall Ultimate Rush swing otta do it.” He laughed patting her on the back.

“No.” She stated firmly.

“Trust me?” He asked softly holding out his hand.

Was this the opportunity Makylah was talking about? Surely this was not any sign from God. Her heart beat in her chest as Peter took care of the cost of the two tickets. A man secured them into form fitting harnesses. Within a moment they were horizontal with their feet no longer touching the ground. The operator flashed a thumb up as they slowly retracted. Hannah swallowed a dry lump in her throat as she cast her fears aside and waved her hands at the spectators down below. With every pull backwards, the people below grew smaller until they look like little ants. Finally the swing ceased to pull them back farther as it locked into place.

“Look at it up here. You can see all of Reno! Hey there’s downtown! You get a whole different perspective way up here!” Hannah was mesmerized by ‘Biggest Little City in the World’ which nestled itself in the desert.

“You know how you were feeling down below as we weaved in and out of people down below? Imagine everything God can see. We only have the small picture in view. God can see the big picture.” Peter said as the swing stopped.

Hannah thought about how the higher up she got the more peaceful her surroundings became. She felt like she could see absolutely everything from the mountain tops to the city below. Peter was right. Not only does God see the macro picture, but also sees the micro as well.

“Hannah I want you to pull the cord to release us.” Peter stated.

“Excuse me? It took a lot of convincing me to even get on this crazy thing, now you want me to pull the cord? I think not!” She squealed.

“Think of it this way. The swing is like your life. You have abandoned a life where you didn’t know God. Even though you feel you are going backwards and it might seem confusing at times, you are really going up. You are getting lifted higher and higher by the second. Now you are on top ready to swing into a new life. Pull that cord and swing forward. But before you do, make a commitment to God to let the past be a lesson and not a stronghold. Understand that He may have used that time to draw you closer to Him. Promise Him and yourself you will forgive others, ask for forgiveness, and not hold grudges no matter what happened. Promise to give it all to God, and when you are ready to pull that cord, enjoy the beautiful invigorating freedom from the release of your past! Swing free into your future.” Peter looked deep into her eyes.

Hannah nodded her head in response. She felt she was healing and getting stronger as a person mentally and spiritually. Was she really ready to let it all go? Yes, a voice in her head called out. Yes. She quickly closed her eyes and said a silent prayer. As she opened her eyes she reached to her side and gripped the release cord. She rubbed the course rope already feeling a rush of adrenalin.

“Cheers to the future.” She raised her eyebrows.

“Cheers.” Peter replied.