Lessons from the Trapeze

When we watch a trapeze artist, for them and for those watching, the most exciting and entertaining moments aren’t the ones where they are standing high in the air waiting to jump out or swinging back and forth on the suspended bar. Whether holding on with their hands, seated, or secured with their legs, the moments we all wait for—and they’ve worked with strict discipline and great skill to perform—are the ones where they leap out and let go, hanging in or hurtling through the air. In a free fall.

In the moments standing on the ladder, we are just waiting in anticipation for them to leap out. In the moments swinging on the bar, we are just waiting for them to let go or catch someone who has. The time spent seated or hanging on the security of a bar or a seat is not what makes the name or the money for a trapeze artist; it’s the time alone in the air, flying free.

Honestly, a trapeze artist who never chooses to let go and fly … who wants to watch that?

If living the Christian life is likened to this, are you best known for standing on the ladder, waiting and watching for the perfect moment? Or sitting out on the bar, swinging and waiting for the action? Or flying, free falling, in faith from one point to another?

Or maybe not even up on the trapeze, but seated securely out of the way in the seats, watching others take the risk and reflect the glory?

I have a sneaking suspicion the Earth moments we will hear about in Heaven won’t be the safe and secure ones. But those spent leaping out because that’s where God called to go, praying and hoping you get caught on the other side … but knowing deep in your heart, He most certainly was going to, once again, as always, catch you.

If you live your life in the safety of the bleachers, staring up, or standing on the ladder, talking yourself out of the leap, you’re missing something God has for those who “will jump when He says jump.” The tough life of faith is truly lived out in those moments in the air, where only He can catch you.

And honestly, a Christian who never chooses to let go and fly … who wants to watch that?

And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jephthah, about David and Samuel and the prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle … the world was not worthy of them. —Hebrews 11:32-34, 38 NIV

 P.S. This is a leap year, right?