January 26, 2009 was the day that my world came crashing down. Everything in my life changed in one instant. And that day began an uncontrollable roller coaster ride which was my life. That roller coaster continued up to last fall and included losing my husband. Life was so much more than I could ever bear on my own, and to be honest, I'm amazed that I made it through as well as I did. People have told me time and time again that I'm such a strong woman. And every time I hear it, it sounds so awkward. I'm not strong. But the God I serve, the one I trust in, He IS!
"You're there in my brokenness and my distress. My rock when I'm strong or when I'm powerless. You hold me in rushing tides, when waters rise. And I'll always find you are my lifeline!"
This is a quote from Lifeline, a song by Mandisa. I hear it often on my iPod when I'm running. I've found myself so able to relate to it lately. God truly has been my lifeline. He alone is the reason why I am still even standing after the numerous tragedies I have walked through. He is the reason I can say I have joy and peace in one of the most challenging times of my life. When my world came crashing down on me- He was my lifeline!
Because of the industry in which I work, I have a very real understanding of what a lifeline is. Our business requires access to the outside of buildings to complete building maintenance. Some buildings are reachable by ladders, but anything over 3 stories, we have to access using a rope descent system. In simple terms a rope descent system is a chair (or a glorified piece of wood with a slight cushion), a descent controls device and ropes. The men climb off the roof of the building, and repel down the side using their ropes. They are able to do descend buildings up to 300 feet (30 stories) tall. To do this safely, they descend down the building with 2 ropes: their main line and their safety line. Their main line is used to manipulate the speed at which they descend. It is their active line in which they are in full control. Their safety line however is only there for emergencies. It is a lifeline. If anything happens to the mainline, the lifeline is there to save them from falling down and crashing into the street below. It is their rescue, the way in which they are able to survive a very dangerous and difficult situation.
Last spring I was able to participate in our company rope descent training. It is a very intimidating experience to step off the roof of a 4 story building, with nothing but ropes holding you up. You place a lot of trust on those ropes, and especially the lifeline. You are literally placing your life in the integrity of the ropes. To help the men feel more confident in trusting the ropes- specifically the lifeline, we performed a rescue exercise. About one story from the ground, we cut the main line. When we did, the lifeline stepped in, stopped their fall and saved their life. After doing this exercise the men felt completely safe in descending any height of building because they knew no matter what situation they may face, the lifeline will activate when its needed, keeping their life safe and protected.
God is our lifeline. When we are descending down the building of life, and something unexpected happens to our main line, He is there. He jumps in at the right time, and catches us. He stops us from descending uncontrollably, and crashing into the sidewalk below. He saves us! Even though we don't always see or feel the lifeline, just knowing He's there gives us confidence to live life, and take risks. The times in the past, when our lifeline kicked in, only serves to increase our confidence in Him. He's faithful. He's never failed us. He is our lifeline!
"You are my lifeline. You are my rescue.Strength in my weakness. Light in my darkness.
You are my safety. Lifter of my head.
The air that I need when
I can't seem to breathe in.
You are my lifeline. You are my lifeline."
-Mandisa, Lifeline
Listen to the full song on the link below:
