The ski instructor commands, “Attack the hill!” Easy to say, standing on the flats. Harder to apply while hurtling down a snowy precipice, dodging trees and rocks. Yet, the truth is that putting weight on ski fronts gives control, leaning back throws it away. Stretching our face closer to up-rushing destruction offers safety, leaning back steals all chances. Leaning forward yields survival’s only hope, leaning back bears only bad fruit.

Not exactly intuitive. Just like walking with God. He draws us surely, inexorably to Himself. We race through time towards a final meeting that seems so like destruction we name it death. Our self-instinct pulls us back, clawing at powdered snow on ice. Yet, seeing our plight, He calls out, “Lean forward!”

Madness? Hardly. Pressing faces forward, closer to Him, gives us control through life’s treacherous curves. After all, He’s the one who promised that if we lose our lives for His sake, we’ll gain it.

So, the last time you found yourself flat on your back, speeding out of control, how did you find the courage to get up and lean forward?

Proverbs 16:25; John 5:16-30; John 6:35-69; John 8:50; Matthew 10:37-39; 1 Corinthians 1:18-31