Of course this was not the first time Felix had jumped off of anything quite high. He used to fall off buildings, and then just continued falling further and further. Now he holds a number of world records.
In a parable in Luke 19:17 we see that God gives us something small to do. When we do that well, we are trusted with something bigger. Then something bigger still. The important thing is not to despise the small thing that God is asking us to do; instead we should obediently do it well. One small jump at a time.
What makes someone think that jumping out of a capsule 24 miles above the earth is a good idea? Because it's never been done? To break records? To be famous?
What motivates us to do the things that we do? Is it obedience to God? A desire to do what he wants? Or is it something else?
As he stood on the ledge Felix said 'let me tell you - when I was standing there on top of the world, you become so humble'.
In Psalm 8:3-4 David is trying to get his head round the fact that God is the one who created the moon and the stars and yet he is still interested in us, he still cares for us. In the New Testament we see just how much God loves us as Jesus dies on the cross.
Of course Felix couldn't have done this on his own. There are all the engineers who built the balloon and capsule and special suit. There were those we saw yesterday in the mission control room. It was very much a team effort.
Hebrews 10:24-25 tells us that the Christian life is not a solo effort - but we are part of a team. We're there to help each other, to encourage each other, to spur each other on. Who is encouraging you? Who are you encouraging?
