I’ve heard of “The Flying Wallendas” all my life. I knew they were a family of stunt performers and tightrope walkers who've had their share of tragedies in the past. In spite of that, last Friday night (June 15th), Nik Wallenda walked 1800 feet across a tightrope stretched over Niagara Falls. He was the first person to ever attempt or complete such a dangerous and life-threatening feat. The thirty-three-year-old father of three had dreamed of walking a tightrope over the falls since the age of six. Not surprising, considering he first walked a tightrope at age two.
Two weeks ago, my husband Joel and I were at Niagara Falls on vacation. I could hardly wait to see the falls. I’d never been there. My travels have included every state but three, seven trips to Europe, a trip to Israel and Egypt, and most recently Central America. But I’d never seen Niagara Falls. As Joel and I discussed our vacation plans last spring, it was my first choice.
When we finally arrived on the Canadian side of this natural wonder, we checked into our motel room and headed straight for the falls. Although we were three blocks away, we could hear the thunder of 700,000 gallons of water cascading down each second. As we approached, it was as magnificent and wonderful as everyone had told us. We took the “Maid of the Mist” boat ride and we were transported right up to the falls. Pounded by the mist and wind, we felt the power of Niagara Falls. So I had a special interest in watching Nik walk across them.
It was astonishing to watch him accomplish his life-long dream. There were a few things I noticed that have a spiritual parallel and I want to share them with you. As I thought about what he had done, I drew an analogy to the times when we try to reach for our dreams, but find ourselves instead in the midst of a life-threatening situation or storm. Sometimes our lives can feel like we are walking "a tightrope over Niagara Falls."
Here is what I learned from Nik:
1. He prepared for years. At his own confession, Nik trained for this for the past couple of years. He walked a tightrope with fire hoses spraying on him and wind machines blowing currents all around him. When the whirlpool of Niagara pounded Nik, he was ready for it.
We can’t face the storms of life without preparation. If we think we can sail along and suddenly make it through the storm when it hits, we’ll fall and drown. We need to be in relationship with the Lord every day, reading His word, praying, obeying, and walking in the Spirit so we’ll be able to withstand the winds and rain when they come.
2. He praised the Lord the entire time. I found a YouTube clip of the feat. You can view it by going to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9VDMJ4FXfs
If you listen closely you can hear Nik saying, “Praise You, Father God. Praise You, Jesus,” even while he was in danger of falling to his death. Nik knew that he was prepared for this event, and that God had given him the gifts to accomplish his goal. He continued to praise the Lord as the winds buffeted and the mist sprayed down on him.
When we are facing a challenge in life, when the foundations of our lives seem to crumble under us, we need to keep praising the Lord. Praise will get us through the storm and we will reach the other side to a better place.
3. He didn’t do it alone. Nik shared that his uncle who works for NASA made the cable specifically for him to walk across Niagara Falls. His mother made the elk hide shoes he wore. His father was connected to him electronically, and communicated with him the full length of the walk. Before he climbed onto the rope, he and his family held hands and prayed together. He knew others were praying for him, too.
When we go through a difficult season of our lives, we need to allow others to help us. We can’t do it alone. The pride of self-sufficiency will keep us from succeeding and reaching our dreams. At one point in the broadcast, one of the commentators remarked, “He’s out there all alone.” I spoke out loud in my living room (Joel is used to it ) and said, “No he’s not. The Lord is with him, and we’re praying for him.”
At the end of the evening, an interviewer asked Nik why he walked a tightrope over Niagara Falls. He responded, “ I want to inspire people all over the world to follow their dreams.”
And that’s just what he did.
Have you given up on your dreams? Are you preparing today for when the storms of life come? Are you trying to “go it” alone? God never intended for us to go through the storms of life alone. Keep moving forward and keep praising the Lord as you do.
Copyright, 2012, Annalee Davis
Copyright, 2012, Annalee Davis
