HOW WELL ARE YOU PREPARED FOR WALKING THE HIGHWIRE OF LIFE?

We all have them. Problems that seem like high wires, that require steadiness and faith. God alone will guide us to His safe side. We need only to focus on Him, believing in faith for His safety net of love.

ETERNAL PERSPECTIVES             by Sally Bair

Walking the high wire

Three years ago Nik Wallenda, of the famed Wallenda trapeze artists, walked across the Little Colorado Gorge of the Grand Canyon. His 1,400-foot walk took him twenty-three minutes to cross the 1,500-foot-deep gorge. The National Geographic TV channel broadcast it live as millions watched.

As I sat on the edge of my chair watching, fearful and yet excited, God’s Spirit nudged me to find a spiritual lesson about the event. I discovered four keys to Wallenda’s success: prepare, press on, praise and repeat.

As a young child, Nik Wallenda began learning all the lessons involved with high wire walking. Before every circus event, he practiced his skill. He visualized each step he would take and stayed in excellent physical and mental shape. His life depended on him not making a mistake.

Paul speaks of staying in spiritual shape. “Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith ….” (Hebrews 12:1) Any bad habits or bad attitudes we carry will hinder our Christian walk.

Once Wallenda stepped onto the two-inch wire, he had to press on. His total focus had to be on the other side of the canyon. Twice during his walk, he crouched down on the wire to wait out heavy wind gusts. And he dared not look down, only ahead.

Again, Paul speaks of pressing on in our Christian walk. “Not that I have already attained [the goal], but I press on that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.” (Philippians 3:12)

Our spiritual goal needs to be just as focused as Wallenda’s was during his walk across the Grand Canyon. Any other focus—such as the sin of selfishness, pride, worry, or worldly enticements—will hinder our walk with Christ.

The third key, praise, came to mind as I listened to Wallenda’s words broadcast over the microphone he wore. All the way across, he praised God with prayers such as “Thank You Jesus, for calming the wind” and “Praise You Lord, You are holy.”

Praise to God in any situation and especially in difficult ones, brings peace and joy, helps us focus on Him, replaces our fear with faith and gives us victory over sin and adversity.

Lord, since we know problems will arise in our lives, help us remember to repeat the first three keys above for a successful walk with You. In Jesus’ name, amen.