I went skydiving last week.

That’s not actually correct. Miguel went skydiving and took me along.

For most of my life, I considered skydiving a lump-in-my-belly way to meet God. I couldn’t imagine a more terrifying way to die than seeing the earth rushing to meet me. Hello, Jesus!

But God’s been working on conquering fears.

Naturally, skydiving bubbled up in my mind. (Go ahead and laugh.)

Really? Jump Out Of A Plane?

I assured God that I didn’t want to meet him any sooner than necessary. But I knew that I needed to plan the jump. I was learning that there is freedom when you push through a fear.

A skydiving company operates out of my local airport – about three miles from my house.

I signed up for a tandem jump, meaning an experienced skydiver would be harnessed behind me. I had no parachute. Just Miguel, who is a Marine and teaches skydiving all week.

He had the experience.

And the parachute.

On the airplane, as we rose to the height for the jump, he sat right behind me, checking, double-checking, triple-checking my harness. Then he told me to lean back, and he tightened the straps between us. We were closer than peanut butter and jelly.

I Had ONE Job

When it was our turn, my job was to duck-walk to the open door. He turned us to face the sky and then out we went. Well, he jumped and took me along.

We tumbled over and then he put up a small parachute to stabilize us.The first thirty seconds were a mix of whistling wind and hazy landscape. We may have been falling 120 mph.

Miguel pulled the chute, and we seemed to stop in mid-air. I thought I could see forever. Maybe farther than that.

Our landing was like landing on a down pillow. Miguel cushioned any bumps. I doubt any existed. He was that good.

The Real Lesson Was On The Ground

That’s when I realized this jump was much less about pushing through a fear and much more about expanding my understanding of trust.

I trusted Miguel with my life.

And when God whispers that he’s got my back, he’s even more able than Miguel is.

Pretty good lesson on a Saturday morning.

Note: I booked this adventure through Skydive Orange Skies and highly recommend their safety and professionalism.