They tell the story of a mountain climber, who desperate to conquer the Aconcagua, initiated his climb after years of preparation. But he wanted the glory to himself, therefore, he went up alone. He started climbing and it was becoming later, and later. He did not prepare for camping but decided to keep on going. Soon it got dark…

Night fell with heaviness at a very high altitude. Visibility was zero. Everything was black. There was no moon, and the stars were covered by clouds. As he was climbing a ridge at about 100 meters from the top, he slipped and fell. Falling rapidly he could only see blotches of darkness that passed. He felt a terrible sensation of being sucked in by gravity.

He kept falling….and in those anguishing moments good and bad memories passed through his mind. He thought certainly he would die. But then he felt a jolt that almost tore him in half. Yes!! Like any good mountain climber he had staked himself with a long rope tied to his waist.

In those moments of stillness, suspended in the air he had no other choice but to shout, “HELP ME GOD”, “HELP ME!”

All of a sudden he heard a deep voice from heaven.. “What do you want me to do?”

“SAVE ME”

“Do you REALLY think that I can save you?”

“OF COURSE, MY GOD”

“Then cut the rope that is holding you up.”

There was another moment of silence and stillness. The man just held tighter to the rope.

Next day the rescue team found a frozen mountain climber hanging strongly to a rope…

TWO FEET OFF THE GROUND!!!

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How about you? How much are you trusting in that rope? Why don’t you let it go?

I tell you, God has great and marvelous things for you.

CUT THE ROPE AND SIMPLY TRUST IN HIM…

There was a boy who was very popular among others his age.

He was an excellent leader in his school groups.

One of his friends visited him and saw a homemade plaque in his room with the words “I Am Third” on it.

His friend asked him what it meant and he replied,

“It is the motto I try to use in my life. It means “God is first, Others are second, and I am Third.’”

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The driving force in our lives should be trying to please God. Secondly, we should take into consideration the needs and pleasures of others. With our own pleasures subordinated, we will truly be the humble servants of God.

At first I saw God as my observer, my judge, keeping track of the things I did wrong, so as to know whether I merited heaven or hell when I die. He was out there sort of like the President. I recognized His picture when I saw it, but I didn’t really know him.

But later on, when I recognized God, it seemed as though life was rather like a bike ride, but it was a tandem bike, and I noticed God was in the back helping me pedal. I don’t know when it was that He suggested we change places, but life has not been the same since.

When I had control, I knew the way. It was rather boring but predictable. It was the shortest distance between two points. But when He took the lead, He took delightful long cuts, up mountains, and through rocky places at breakneck speeds; it was all I could do to hang on. Even though it looked like madness, He said, “Pedal”

I was worried and was anxious and asked, “Where are you taking me?” He just smiled, and didn’t answer, and I started to learn to trust. I forgot my boring life and entered into the adventure. And when I said, “I’m scared.” God leaned back, and would touch my hand.

He took me to people with gifts I needed; gifts of healing and acceptance and joy. They gave me their gifts to take on my journey, our journey, God’s and mine.

And then we would be off again. Then He’d say, “Give those gifts away–they’re extra baggage, too much weight.” So I did, to the people we’d meet. It was then I found that in giving we receive. Our burden was light.

I didn’t trust Him at first, you know–being in total control of my life. I thought, “What if He wrecks it?” But God knows, “bike secrets.” He knows how to make it bend to take the sharp corners; how to jump to clear high rocks; and how to fly to shorten scary passages.

I am starting to learn to shut up and pedal in some of the strangest places. I am beginning to enjoy the cool breeze on my face, with my delightful Companion pedaling with me.

And when I am sure I just can’t do any more, He just smiles and says, “Pedal”