Going Vertical

wingsuit base jumping from Ali on Vimeo.

There is this awesome video of base jumpers using wing suits to leap from sheer cliffs and glide along. They became bored with “just” flying away from the cliffs, so they developed the nerve to skim the edges, almost able to reach out and touch the rocks. It is amazing to watch, and I’m sure it is a rush to experience!
One problem... They cannot actually fly. The ride always ends with a deploying canopy and rapid deceleration. They are not flying because they cannot go vertical!
For a lot of believers there is the same kind of experience. Unless we surrender completely to God, and allow Him to crucify our flesh, we can only experience brief periods of emotional spirituality. The rush is followed by a long climb back up the hill, and the hope of another leap and a few seconds of air.
John experiences Christ a different way. Exiled and punished, he was to be alone and separated where it was believed he could have no impact. But John has a special skill set. He’s a Jesus man. He has wings. He prays in the Spirit. He can go vertical!


8 The Master declares, "I'm A to Z. I'm The God Who Is, The God Who Was, and The God About to Arrive. I'm the Sovereign-Strong."
9-17 I, John, with you all the way in the trial and the Kingdom and the passion of patience in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos because of God's Word, the witness of Jesus. It was Sunday and I was in the Spirit, praying. I heard a loud voice behind me, trumpet-clear and piercing…
Revelation 1 – The Message

His passion? His rush? Simply the patience of Jesus. He waits on the Lord. He gets his thrills from seeing God move, and rushing to join Him in His work! Whatever his circumstance, wherever he is assigned, that is his launch pad. The Lord meets him on a desolate island and lifts him to a view of Heaven. That is vertical!

Isaiah was another Jesus man. He was tasked with trying to stir the faith of a whole nation. He stirs them out of their apathy, towards a vertical relationship.

27-31 Why would you ever complain, O Jacob, or, whine, Israel, saying,"God has lost track of me. He doesn't care what happens to me"?Don't you know anything? Haven't you been listening?God doesn't come and go. God lasts. He's Creator of all you can see or imagine.He doesn't get tired out, doesn't pause to catch his breath. And he knows everything, inside and out.He energizes those who get tired, gives fresh strength to dropouts.For even young people tire and drop out, young folk in their prime stumble and fall.But those who wait upon God get fresh strength. They spread their wings and soar like eagles,They run and don't get tired, they walk and don't lag behind.
Isaiah 40:31 – The Message