I was a hardworking eager beaver in college when my advisor said I was working too hard and ordered me to take a PE class. I chose Beginning Downhill Skiing that spent Saturdays on beautiful Mount Baker in Washington state.

Our first lesson was learning how to fall down and get up again. That took practice, but we mastered it.

Next, we needed to learn to ride the rope tows. That wasn’t as easy. Each time I concentrated and grabbed the rope with all my might, it jerked me up in the air and dumped me at the side. Gradually, every other classmate made it to the top, while I stood at the bottom.

Our instructor skied back to me. “You’re overthinking and trying too hard,” he said. “Hold on loosely. Relax into it. Lean against me, and I’ll show you.”

The next thing I knew, he stood behind me with his arms wrapped around me. My hands loosely held the rope, while he did the holding on. And then, the next thing I knew, we glided effortlessly to the top of the hill.

“That’s how you do it,” he said. “It’s not meant to be hard.”

I’ve succeeded fine every time since.

That example also fits our spiritual lives. We’re not meant to overthink and try so hard we get flipped into snow piles. Relax into the One holding us. Let His fully paid effort get us to the top.

That ski class brought me more than fresh air exercise in beautiful scenery. It taught me that most challenges aren’t as hard as I think. My first task is always to lean into the One holding me and let Him carry me to the top of the hill in front of me. Then, I can enjoy the ride and the beauty of each new vista.

May we remember that the next time we stand at the bottom of any hill.