Maneuvers - No. 30
I Won’t
Let You Fall
Annapurna may only be the world’s 10th-highest mountain—but it’s certainly the deadliest.
With a fatality rate of 32%, Annapurna has seen far fewer people reach its summit than Everest has.
Frostbite. Gangrene. Avalanches. Lack of oxygen. Unstable footholds. Each danger represents a high-risk threat when scaling this giant rock.
So why are we talking about mountain climbing? Because, in many ways, life can feel like a dangerous journey up an unpredictable mountainside. Death, disease, betrayal, and failure can surprise us with a gut punch we can’t forget even if we want to.
We might think we’re standing firm—like the apostle Paul talked about (see 1 Corinthians 10:12)—when suddenly, we lose our foothold, the rocky crevice we were gripping gives way and … Well, how do you respond in that situation, friend?
Do you panic? Grasp for anything to hold you up? Shake your fist at the God who promised to take care of you? Collapse in defeat?
We’ve all done those things. Life’s terrifying tragedies have a way of bringing out what’s deepest in our hearts. And sometimes it’s not pretty. We’ve been there, too.
But that’s why we love God’s grace so much. No matter how we’ve responded to life’s struggles in the past, today is a fresh opportunity to respond in a new way. Not because we’re suddenly better or more heroic, but because we have a firmer grasp on the truth of who Jesus is.
He is strong. He is secure. He is safe. He is here… with us… with you… right now.
Will you join us on this dangerous climb? Will you allow Jesus to be your unshakable, unflinching guide? If so, today’s message from Holy Spirit is for you.
01.
The Message
“Can you see us? How we’re climbing? Put your foot here. Let me help you feel secure. Test out that footing. Is it strong enough to hold you—make you feel safe? Do I make you feel safe?
“Now reach out your hand. Use your fingers. Feel along the wall to find the crack. It is high up, yes? And now reach, reach, reach, and step. Feel my hand on your hand, helping you grip. I know you can’t see as much as you have to feel. You have to trust where I am telling you to put your hand and your foot. And then the other hand, the other foot. Do you trust me? Do you think I will let you fall?
“Don’t look down. Okay, you can if you want to. How do you feel about that, when you look down? Don’t be scared. We are climbing together, you and I. I’ve got you. I am your guide.
“As you climb—on the face and on the crags—there are always a few places that are better placements for your feet than others. And for your hands, too. Remember, trust your fingertips to feel and know what is strong, with enough leverage to pull you up.
“You will notice the small, fragile pieces on the big wall where you should not trust your grip, and how those pieces give way. How do you feel when you search for a place to put your fingers, running your hands along the cliff, and, to your dismay, you find the crack isn’t sound—it can’t hold you—and gives way?
“Remember, I am holding you—both the lead and your anchor point as you follow. I will not let you fall.
“You tell me you are afraid of that thought, though—of falling, of the crack giving way and you tumbling down, out of control, without a way to stop, without a safe place to land. It will be impossible to prevent injury, you think. It is dangerous, this climbing. But what else can you do?
“You have to practice climbing to get better at it. You have to work your muscles to get them stronger. But really, more than being strong—you need to trust me, listen to me, move with me, take each movement, one by one, as a serious decision. But don’t be paralyzed by doubt. Don’t be overwhelmed by pressure. You are okay here, on this cliff. You are okay here, out on your own. For I am with you. I am holding you up.
“You can take a risk, and your footing can slip. You can take a risk, and your fingertips might tremble. And even if you lose your balance altogether, what would be the worst thing that could happen? Is falling what you fear more than living? Is being safe, staying on the ground—or maybe worse—being stuck in a precarious situation, gripped and afraid to move—better than seeing where the climb will take you? Don’t you want to know what will be at the top, the other side? But more important, isn’t this the best place to be—with me, on the climb?
“Do not assume that taking a risk—climbing on sight, where you have never been before, is foolish. What is foolish is not trusting me. What is foolish is not practicing, one move at a time, to listen to my voice. What is foolish is believing I am not speaking to you every day, am not with you every day, am not fighting for you every day, am not loving you every day. My son, my daughter, there is a mountain in front of you that you get to climb. Don’t ignore it. Step toward it. Climb it with me. You can do this. I have made you. Now heed me. Listen close. And move.”
02.
Listen
How did the word “risk” impact you in this week’s message? Pause and ponder that word. Let it roll around in your thoughts and settle in your heart. Risk…
Does that word make you feel uncomfortable? How does that discomfort color your view of life, of your relationship with God? Let’s take several minutes to respond to what Holy Spirit is saying to us.
03.
Think
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Never rely on what you think you know. Remember the Lord in everything you do, and he will show you the right way” (Proverbs 3:5-6, GNT).
1. What are some risks you’ve been timid to take? How has fear of risk held you back from things God has called you to do?
2. What past experiences have caused you to feel afraid? How does Jesus want to bring healing to those areas of your life?
3. List 3 Scriptures about fear or trusting God. What is Holy Spirit saying to you through those passages?
04.
Trust
Christian history is rich with men and women who have valued faith over fear and, as a result, have accomplished incredible things through God.
There’s something soul-stirring about reading the exploits of these great men and women. It’s no wonder the author of Hebrews dedicated an entire chapter to many of the people in the Old Testament who were driven by faith!
But there have been others since then, too. Preachers, missionaries, theologians, authors, revivalists and more who have taken great risks for Jesus and reaped great rewards.
We’re talking about adventurers like Jonathan Edwards, Hudson Taylor, Amy Carmichael, Elisabeth Elliot, St. Patrick, Lottie Moon, William Wilberforce—very imperfect people who were willing to follow Jesus into the unknown.
Reading their stories equips us in our own journey with Christ. Their boldness lights a fire in our own hearts and reminds us, “They’re not that different from me. They had Jesus, and so do I. Nothing can stop me from what the Lord calls me to.”
This week, we encourage you to pick up a biography of a bold believer in Jesus and simply soak up their story. But first, a word of caution… don’t get stuck on all the great things they did. Pay attention to the mistakes they made, too. Their flaws and imperfections. Those things, too, teach us valuable lessons.
For right now, though, we invite you to join us in a simple exercise to envision our hearts for the life God has for us—no matter how risky it is.
To start, let’s pull out our journal or a piece of paper. Now, let’s write down a short version of our own biography as if someone else were writing it years after our death.
What would your life look like if you chose faith over fear? How would the next generation of believers describe your life? What shortcomings might they mention? What exploits would they talk about?
Before we start, let’s also realize this: This exercise isn’t about what you think your life will be. Let’s refuse to limit ourselves as we write this miniature biography or allow lies and discouragement to blur our vision.
Write your story as Jesus sees it. As it could be if you trust him to be your safety during this dangerous climb. Because you’re not climbing alone.
05.
Pray
Father, shine your light into the fearful areas of my heart. The parts of me that are terrified of risk.
If I’m being honest, there are times when I’m scared you won’t catch me when I fall. I’m sorry, Lord. I don’t want to doubt you or be angry with you when hard things happen. I want to trust you. Help me trust you.
I open my heart to you right now. Show me what my life can be with you, the mountains we’ll climb together. Show me how we’ll overcome together.
I love you, Father. You’ve been so good to me, so faithful and reliable. I choose you over fear. I choose you.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
Waving the banner with you,
