Stay Connected to the Vine: A Zip-Line Kind of Faith

Have you ever been zip lining? My husband and I have been married for twenty one years, and for some reason, unbeknownst to me, he thought it was a good idea to bring his bug-fearing, adventure-shy bride on a honeymoon that could only be described as for the courageous, thrill-seeking type. Yikes!! We had a lot of getting to know each other still to be accomplished.

Amongst the first adventures we went on was a zip line through the Costa Rican rainforest. I had never heard of such a thing at the time! To say I was scared is a huge understatement. I was terrified. “So, you want me to step into the air with just a harness as my only attachment keeping me connected to a cable roped between two trees? What?!” Well, that being said, I very much wanted to impress my adventure-loving husband, so I said yes. After listening intently to the very long safety briefing, we began the long staircase to the first platform. As I got closer to my turn, paralyzing fear began to take over in my mind, and I became intensely aware of how high we were. Did I really understand how to use the equipment properly? What if the clip got stuck? My heart started to race and my stomach started to drop. When I finally took my turn and stepped off into what felt like an abyss, I soon became afraid and squeezed down on the line which acted like a brake and stopped me mid line. I was stuck. Well, thankfully the experienced guide, obviously having done this before, slowly, hand-to-hand, began traveling across the cable to reach me where I was and help me make it to the next platform. Unfortunately, my fear precluded me from finishing the course. The curious thing is, my husband had a totally different perspective. He had complete trust in the harness and the cable. His trust in the security of his connection to the cable translated into the time of his life, enjoying the sights and beauty of the surrounding creeks and rainforest.       

Fast forward a few years and my daughter recently tried ziplining out for the first time on a “junior explorer” course as a part of a field trip, and she was hooked. I was so impressed because my 8-year-old girl was exhibiting enormous calm under pressure. I was doubly impressed because I still remember how scared I was all those years before. In the car, before the field-trip, I reminded her that the cable was strong and as long as she was securely connected to the cable, she would be safe. I reminded her that it would feel terrifying to step out into thin air, but to remind herself she was safely connected to the cable and would not fall. It got me thinking about how similar it is to trusting in Jesus and walking forward in faith, especially when it seems contrary to what we want to do.

“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:4-6

Jesus is having the last passover meal with his disciples. In one of his final teachings to them, he gives them a beautiful picture of how to bear fruit for the kingdom through relationship with Him. He gives them assurance that He is the only way to the father.

“I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the father except through me.” John 14:6

In Jesus' final words to the disciples, he stresses to them the utmost importance of staying close to Him. He tells them to focus on eternity. He tells them to have confidence that they have seen the father through him.

“I am the true vine, and my father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit, he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.” John 15:2

He is our vine. He is the cable, if you bear with me for my zip line analogy. Jesus tells them as long as they keep connected to the vine, they will bear much fruit and the father will prune them so they will bear even more fruit. But as we all are acutely aware, pruning is painful. Life is scary and feels very uncertain at times.

So, how do we stay connected when sometimes we feel like it’s up to us? How do we stay close when God seems distant or when it feels like our life is completely out of our control? Here are some takeaways.

1. Connection is everything. Abiding isn’t casual or sporadic. It’s daily. It’s intentionally relying on Jesus and bringing him all your honest thoughts. It’s praying unceasingly. It’s honoring Him as holy and valuing Him as worthy above all else. As in zip lining so it is with Christ: He is your very lifeline just as the vine is to the branches. Just as unclipping from the harness on a zip line could have devastating and fatal consequences, if we choose to walk away from Christ, either neglectfully or willfully, we forfeit our safety, refuge, strength, and direction.

2. Let go. Once on the platform, the scariest thing is stepping off into the unknown. It can also be wonderful. As it was with my husband and the cable, when we trust our relationship with Jesus, we can experience delight and a life of purpose and joy. But we have to surrender what is behind us and step off the platform. There have been many times where my life didn’t look the way I had planned, but God was asking me to trust Him with a better plan, His plan. But the way he was asking me to go wasn’t the way I wanted to go. I wasn’t sure I could handle it. Had I turned around and walked back down the stairs, off the platform, I would've never experienced the life God had in store for me. I believe that there can be great beauty and joy when we surrender our plans to the Lord.

3. Realize who is ultimately in control. There is nothing you can do once you step off the platform to ensure that you get to the other side, except trust your connection to the cable. No amount of self-striving can get you to the other side without the cable. It is all dependent on Christ. We must keep our eyes on him. In Him, we bear fruit.

4. Healthy fear. Fear is your friend until it is not. Fear can be healthy, protecting us from unnecessary harm. But just as I experienced when I squeezed the line, fear can cause you to get stuck and unable to reach the other side. Just as the Israelites discovered when they were wandering in the wilderness, the journey can be delayed when fear becomes bigger than trust in the Lord. Let fear play its role, but be careful feeding fear in a way that keeps you from stepping out.

5. Step out despite your feelings. Whether you step out fearfully and are a ball of nerves or you are excited about the journey, the cable still works despite your feelings. Rest in the knowledge that Christ is strong enough to be with you in any and every circumstance. He will never leave you or forsake you even if you are doubtful. The outcome is not dependent on your belief or ability. Your feelings are not in control, Christ is.

6. The Lord loves you and wants you to bear fruit.

   
   

Friends, even when circumstances make you feel like you are about to step off a cliff, know that you are held and secure in the father’s arms.

Father God, thank you that you never leave us alone. Thank you for drawing near. Thank you Emmanuel, God with us. Please show us what it looks like in every moment, to stay connected to the vine.