Yikes! Afraid of Heights

Some people dislike heights. The problem is that it is a long ways down and it makes them feel as if their head is spinning and their stomach is churning. I have a friend who always sits in the aisle or middle seat on an airplane. The window seat is too harrowing. For them the window seat is like the time my sister talked me into going with her 8th grade classroom to Magic Mountain—the “crown jewel” of all theme parks. She needed another chaperon and I looked perfect for the job.

I did have a lot of fun. I especially liked the “old peoples” ride on the wood beam supported roller coaster—Colossus. Even the 13 year olds liked it, so I must not be too old. All was well until my sister said, “Kurt, lets go ride that one…as I followed the pointing of her finger. What I did not know is that what she was really saying was, “Hey, lets go get strapped into a chair by a mechanical arm, that pins your arms, head and body into a body clamp that will not let you move. Then this gigantic wheel will twirl us into the air, upside down with G forces that make your face cheeks look like the neighbors bulldog.”

When the ride was finished, my over-zealous sister shouted out, “That was fun! Lets ride it again!”

Heights—for some it is negative. But there is a height that I know that all of us can experience in a positive manner.

Oh, the height and depth of mercy!
Oh, the length and breadth of love!
Oh, the fullness of redemption,
Pledge of endless life above!

When Fanny Crosby wrote these words she had you in mind. I cannot ask her, but I wonder if this text inspired her to write the words of the hymn.

“When I consider Your heavens, the works of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have ordained. What is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit him?” Psalms 8:3, 4

The height of God’s mercy…the works of His hands revealed in the universe…there is hope in a Creator God, who loves us so much that His mercy and love cannot be fully comprehended by mortals.

On a Friday afternoon I know one man who experienced the height of God’s mercy and love. His name is “Criminal.” (Luke 23: 39) He lived a life that deserved death. The Bible does not tell us his crime, but we do know something about his character. As he hung on a cross beside Jesus, he rebuked the other criminal for the way he talked to Jesus. Criminal said (1) do not talk to the God in this manner; (2) this man has done nothing wrong; but, (3) Criminal believed that Jesus was returning to this earth a second time—remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” (Luke 23:39-43)

Criminal was a believer. Through a life of crime that nailed him to a cross, he understood the truth about Jesus. He knew. So he spoke those famous words—remember me—that is the same as saying, “please forgive me and give me eternal life.”

The only thing more amazing than the request was that it was granted! A con-man asking for salvation, while breathing his last breath. But I love Jesus’ response…

“Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” Luke 23:43

Maybe Criminal had heard Jesus speak. Maybe he had seen him heal the sick, or speak kind words to someone, or hold a child on His lap. Maybe he had seen Jesus eat lunch with those considered outcasts. Or maybe the only thing he knew about Jesus was what he had observed over the past few hours as He hung on the cross. He knew this Man was who others claimed He was, the Son of God.

Think about it. We deserve heaven just the same as Criminal. The difference between Criminal and you and me is that he got caught in public. But this is where God’s mercy that stretches as far into the heavens as you can see and goes deeper than you can imagine, comes in.

Jesus’ love for you does not depend upon what you do for Him. You are valuable just because you exist! Not because of what you have accomplished or are going to do, but just because you are you. Jesus died hanging beside Criminal because he “so loved” you to a height and depth you cannot imagine.

So next time you are discouraged or feel like hanging up on life, remember Criminal and Jesus…at least it gives me encouragement and I hope it does for you too.

So when every day life gets a bit dizzy for you; when you feel like the bottom has dropped out of your world and it is a long ways down; then, remember the words of the old hymn—“Oh the heights and depth of mercy, Oh the length and breadth of love.” If you are at the bottom—look up, God is there waiting to lift you up! If you are at the top, don’t worry, if you fall, God will catch you…so let out a deep sigh and rest in His arms, they are big enough for all of us!