Walking A Tightrope

Walking by faith is like walking a tightrope stretched across a wide canyon. The view is breathtaking. The scenery is inspiring. The other side can look a long way off in the distance. Each step is risky. Eventually you get to the point of no return. A point where it makes more sense to keep pressing forward than to backtrack.

Brenda and I have walked this tightrope of faith for decades. Many times I've taken her by the hand and led her forward on this tightrope of faith. I love the thrill of the adventure. She prefers the safety and security of solid ground. She has trusted God and me following time and again.

Many times we have looked foolish to the onlookers. They do not understand why we would choose to walk this tightrope when staying put on solid ground is more logical. Our reply would be the miracles are on the other side of the tightrope. Our progress may be slow. Often we no more than get across one canyon of opportunity than God shows us the next one and off again we step out into the next faith adventure.

When on the tightrope, if we focus on the dangers and perils below we easily get disoriented. We can lose our focus and balance. Doubts arise and we can even talk ourselves out of pressing on.

There have been times when she and I stood on the cliff and looked at the perils below. We tried to see the other side but could not. All we could see was a tightrope and hear Jesus calling us to step out and to trust Him. Many times this has created what Dr. Henry Blackaby calls a crisis of belief. Many times fear conquered our faith. We chose to step out anyway. Scared we stepped and then stepped again and again. We choose faith even when fears menacingly threaten our doom.

Even now as I write this we are suspended on the highest tightrope of faith we have ever traversed. The going has been slow. Often the steps have been unsure and unsteady. The winds of fear and doubt have nearly toppled us more than once. We have been encouraged by the word of God and steadied by His unseen hand.

We have stories to tell of His faithfulness. We have seen things many have not. We have experienced the miraculous intervention of God in ways that have astounded and humbled us. We keep stepping out on this tightrope hoping to glorify God and to inspire others to do the same. In the end it's our desire to please Him who calls us. Each step and each tightrope. What will you do? When you have the next opportunity to walk out on your own tightrope or remain firmly planted on the shores of safety which will you choose? According to scripture there is only once choice.

Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV) 
⁶  But without faith it isimpossible to please Him,for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and thatHe is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.