Focus

“Keep your eyes focused directly ahead of you and just relax.”

Simple advice, right?

These were the instructions given as I was learning to hang glide. It’s what I was supposed to do at the moment of lift. However, I first had to engage a series of steps to get started. There was a harness check. Then, I had to stand while supporting the weight of the glider. Next, I had to run as fast as I could with the bar positioned in just the right place under my chin, not my chest. Lastly, I was to keep running until I was airborne and then stretch my legs out behind me while looking straight ahead and relaxing.

It sounded easy. In reality, it felt completely unnatural and difficult to execute. My form wasn’t great, but the moment of lift is where it really fell apart. The colorful wings took a nosedive. Sand went flying further than I did and I was grateful to be wearing sunglasses to protect my eyes from the assault.  I even managed to drag the instructor into the sand with me because I’m talented like that.

What happened? The instructor was giving feedback before I ever got the words out of my mouth.

I was tense, had a death grip on the bar, and was trying to control the contraption instead of relaxing and let the wind take control.  Equally problematic, instead of keeping my head up and looking ahead, I looked down – which is where I promptly went.

By the end of the lessons and after much coaching, I’d made great progress and experienced a little success. One the other flight instructors was sitting with us and kept emphasizing the need to relax and look ahead. Repeatedly. Look straight ahead and relax.

It’s great advice for life too, especially when it comes to faith. Sometimes I’m looking everywhere except my true north. I’m looking at my neighbor or colleague or family member or even a favorite author, when I should be looking to Jesus. Or, I may get so focused on my own desires that I forget or ignore the direction in which God has called me. Instead of staying focused on Him, I look around and eventually take a nosedive. Likewise, I struggle to trust Him as the wind in my wings. I try to take control of my destination and fight the very thing that would carry me for the ride of my life. The result is that I miss out on God’s best. Flying was so much more fun than crash landing. It was exhilarating. I laughed and marveled at it. I felt like I was floating and free.

I’m certain a lifetime filled with trusting Jesus and relaxing into His arms is also much more of an adventure than anything I can craft or control.  So, I’m trying to take note and live according to my hang gliding lessons. I’m loosening my grip and relinquishing control. I’m working to keep my eyes focused straight ahead and trust Him so I can experience the feeling of flight again. It’s an experience like no other.

I hope you choose to do the same. And if you happen to get the chance to try hang gliding sometime, I hope you’ll say yes to that, too.