Remember Your Parachute! by Karen Ruhl
Craig and I used to love to go to the small airports and watch the skydivers. It is particularly interesting to watch the tandem jumpers. When they land, they have to rely on each other for a safe landing. Most of the time, we witnessed flawless landings, once every so often a little bumpy one. But as we watched, we realized those coming in for a landing had to have a lot of faith in what they were doing. That is how I feel about life. My parachute, so to speak, is the word of God. It seems like no matter what situation I am in, if I trust fully in Him, I never experience more than a slightly bumpy landing. Don’t get me wrong, remember, I am a sinner and I have been in life-threatening positions. I would never have been able to get through them without God. I remember the night that I fell to my knees crying for God’s help in a very bad situation. I was fearful; I didn’t think God would listen to someone who had put herself in a situation like I was in. I wasn’t doubting God’s love for me, I just didn’t feel worthy. I guess you could say that I felt my parachute had too many holes to give me a safe landing. I can recall this night so vividly because I gave my life to Christ again while kneeling and weeping for His help. 4PAGE | M3 AG A Z I N E N A M E
Earlier that day, I had called my girlfriend, Carla, and asked if she would come over and pray with me. I was in a prayer group with Carla and felt very confident that she was the one that I was supposed to call. That day, Carla was my parachute. She had all of the verses marked on a piece of paper for me to read later that night. She had her Bible packed neatly in her bag along with her study material, pens, and a journal. Packed safely, just like a parachute is packed before someone goes for a jump. That night, I started to memorize verses like never before. I realized my memory verses were like the cords of a parachute, they were there to help me when I needed to use them—when danger, sorrow, anger, love, peace, was dominating my mind. When the evil one tried to bring me crashing to the ground, he couldn’t because my parachute bag was packed tight with what I needed for just a time like that. I encourage you to think of the Bible as your lifeline. Proverbs 4:1-2 NKJV says:
Hear, my children, the instruction of a father, And give attention to know understanding; For I give you good doctrine: Do not forsake my law. Find a friend like Carla that you can call on when you need someone beside you. Remember, God is always there. Blessings - Karen
