We are returning to 301 ElCano Drive to worship at Mountainside Church Easter Sunday

A View from Ten Thousand Feet

A View from Ten Thousand Feet

As seen in the  "The Heartbeat" and published in the Hot Springs Village Voice


I am not one to have a fear of heights.  Years ago, I thoroughly enjoyed flying in a helicopter with my legs hanging out the door.  It was exhilarating, as I felt like I was flying on my own. I’ve even climbed a 75-foot ladder in the fire service, and didn’t flinch.  


A few years ago, I checked a block on my bucket list.  Research was done and I found the skydiving school with the best safety record, and I jumped at the opportunity (pun intended).  Ground class was required, then we loaded into the little plane – the pilot, the cameraman, and the instructor. At 7,000 feet I hooked into the instructor as it was a tandem jump.  At 10,000 feet the door opened, and the rush of wind filled the little Cessna. My heart began to pump and there was a tightness in my chest.


The instructor and I scooted to the door where he told me to hold onto the exit door and to place my foot on the little metal plate outside the door.  All I saw was the green pasture 10,000 feet below me!  For just a moment I couldn’t move. My hands had a death grip on the door and neither of my feet would make any movement toward that ever-shrinking metal plate outside the door.  Fear had me frozen for just a moment.


We see news reports on TV where fear is gripping our nation and the world.  News broadcasters are predicting a jump from a world pandemic all the way to anarchy at the speed of light!  I have to say, this fear is exactly what the Enemy would have us focus on.


1 John 4:18 says, "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear  has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love."  We know God is love. Therefore, in God there is not fear.  In God, fear is driven out by Him. In God, we are made perfect in His love.


Nowhere in the Bible does it say to worry about everything, fear everything, or be paranoid about everything.  When we focus on God and all His goodness instead of all the bad things we are hearing, all else seems to fade away in His presence.  The Good gets even better.


Jesus told His disciples just before His ascension, "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."  God the Father watches over us. Jesus is always with us. And through the presence of the Holy Spirit, we can experience the purest of all love.


Let’s change our perspective and focus on the goodness, mercy, and grace from our Heavenly Father.  And let’s open our ears to His Word, and not the words of fear!


CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE WEEKLY SERMON 


  Mountainside Church · 301 Elcano Drive
Hot Springs Village · AR 71909

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