Beyond Capacity

A young man was walking along a mountain trail when suddenly the rocky ledge he was standing on gave way. Dusk was falling in on him as he began to slide and tumble down the mountain side. Twisting, turning, bumping and falling, the fearful hiker knew this could be his end. Finally, just before he slammed to the bottom of the ravine, his hands caught a small tree to which he clung with all his might. Though his feet were dangling in the air, he was safe for now as long as the little tree's roots would hold.

He began to cry out for help, but no one responded. He yelled all the louder, “Help! Help! Can anyone help me?” Still there was no answer. Finally he knew that he was nearly at his capacity for holding the branch any longer, and he knew his arms and hands would soon fail him. He cried out again, “Help! Help! Can anyone help me?” This time he heard a still small voice that appeared to be from heaven, “Let go my son. Let go.” Although the man acknowledged that the voice might be from above he yelled back, “Is there anyone else up there?”

That is the way it seems with some situations. People get themselves into or find themselves within problems that seem like they are falling down a mountainous ravine. Some are holding on for dear life to the only “little tree” that they can find. Some are hearing voices from above that simply say, “let go.” Whichever state he or she is in, a person with threatening troubles knows the anxiety and lack of capacity to handle the situations. There is a need for someone far beyond their own ability, and the search for him is well worth the investment. The key is in relationship. If this person who has genuine ability to help is well known, then there will be nothing at all to fear. If this person with great capacity to help is not known, then woe to the one who hangs.

By the way, after darkness crept in and the young man could find no solace in the voice above, his capacity to hold on to the little tree reached its limit. and he let go. He fell six inches to the valley floor and was completely safe.

Until tomorrow...Why Say More?