WHOSE SIDE ARE YOU ON?

We cross many chasms during our lives, traversing from one problem to the next. Some are higher, deeper, longer, more difficult than others. But with God’s help we reach the other side. Crossing over to eternity, the ultimate chasm, requires a choice on our part. We can ask ourselves: whose side am I on? God’s side? Or the side of the devil, the world, and our flesh? You decide.

ETERNAL PERSPECTIVES  by Sally Bair

The other side

Did you watch the live TV show of Nik Wallenda skywalk across part of the Grand Canyon? Did you hold your breath, as I did? The famous high wire artist spent nearly 23 minutes walking the 1,400-foot journey across the Little Colorado River gorge. He trained for weeks, both physically and mentally, as he has done for all his high wire acts. During this walk, however, he faced brutal winds from all directions, including from the 1,500-foot-deep gorge. He also encountered instability in the two-inch cable, and the jagged edges of the canyon wall distracted his vision.

Many people wonder why Wallenda would be so foolish, would take such a chance. But he had trained since the age of two and drew from the experience of eight generations of other wire-walking Wallendas before him. He also believed God called him to do this. Wallenda repeatedly glorified his Lord during his walk. Outfitted with a microphone, he could be heard by some thirteen million people via TV and the Internet.  

He kept his focus on God, who guided him along that thin wire, by praising Him with words that you and I could use in our own lives during situations far less stressful. “Thank You, Jesus,” he said over and over. “Blessed be Your Name, Lord … You are my strength … I love You, Lord … Hallelujah, Jesus. I glorify Your name, Lord. You are holy.” 

We all face situations that require us to reach the other side of a negative situation such as grief, illness, or financial needs. How we prepare for those times determines whether or not we succeed. Wallenda could have fallen to his death if not for his preparation.

How about our preparation? Are we willing to spend our lives training for victory over sin and temptation—until we reach the side of peace, of satisfaction, of victory? Or do we allow our focus to shift away from God?

The ultimate goal for us believers in Christ is to spend eternity with Him—to reach the other side of life. Lackadaisical preparation could draw us down as surely as it could have brought death to Wallenda. The Bible repeatedly commands us to follow Jesus by clinging to His Word and Spirit. “…reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:13-14)

Lord, help us to remember to train and prepare for eternity by remaining in You through the Word and Spirit. In Jesus’ name, amen.