I’m scared of heights. Maybe thats why a recent picture book I read to my children stuck out to me. Its called Mirette On the High Wire. This book had my hands sweating, my eyes full of tears. The kids probably thought I was sad thinking about walking on a tight wire. But it wasn’t that. Somehow this book was able to put into words the way I feel about life these days.
Henry Bellini crossing the Niagara Falls.
The story is about a man named Bellini who was a famous tight rope walker. He was known all over the world as having “nerves of steal”. He crossed Niagara Fall and even stopped half way across to have a cup of tea! But when a little girl Mirette meets Bellini at her mother’s hotel she doesn’t know who he is. She only knows he practices walking on a low wire in the back of the hotel. She thought it looked fun and magical to be able to walk on the wire. She gets up enough courage and asks him to teach her. He replies that would NOT be a good idea. “Once you walk on the wire your feet will never be happy on the ground." She responded “My feet are already unhappy on the ground.” He reluctantly decided to teach her.
As he instructs her, he always reminds her that everyone falls but those who keep going will have success. To “never let her eyes stray, to think only of the wire, and of crossing to the end.” She gradually learned to cross dozens of times without falling and even turn somersaults on the wire. She soon learns that he is The Famous Bellini. She asks him to show her what he can do up high on the wire and he responds that he cannot because he is afraid. Mirette could not understand. She had felt such joy and freedom on the wire but now this looming fear of his has cast a black shadow on what she had learned from him.
I’ve never literally been out on a high wire (and hope I never have to). But I am feeling like I’m out on a wire in this walk of faith in planting a church in Goffstown. I can relate to Mirette feeling the joy and excitement of something new and the confidence that everything will be ok. I can also relate to Bellini of being too afraid to move another inch.
The first few steps are not so hard. I am still close to the security of the edge, and I am close to my supporters cheering me on. I could always fall back on them if I needed to. Its easy to remember the preparation we’ve had to get here. I feel the rush of adrenaline propelling me forward. I’m feeling brave and full of faith.
But as I move further along the voices fade and it becomes more silent and still. In the quiet I hear another voice from below telling me I’ll never make it. It’s too hard, and I remember I’m too afraid of heights. Time to focus. Don’t believe those lies. I continue to walk but suddenly a light bird lands in the middle of my next foot step. Normally a little bird landing in front of me would not cause a single care but now out on this wire a little bird feels like an elephant weighing me down and causing me to slide. Keep my eyes ahead. Continuing on I feel a gentle breeze which would normally bring refreshment but not now, out here, it feels like a hurricane wind threatening to knock me off! Then I make the mistake of looking back at those people safe on the side. Enjoying fun and fellowship and seemingly not a care in the world. Don’t they care that I’m out here all alone! Of course, I know they do care, but out here on this cold hard wire it feels lonely. Only think about crossing to the other side. Keep the goal in mind.
The book ends with Bellini deciding to overcome his fear by performing in front of an audience up on a high wire. But when he steps out he freezes in fear and is not able to continue his walk. Little Mirette knows what is wrong. She quickly runs up the other side of the building and lovingly stretches out her arms to Belllini as she begins to walk towards him. As he looks up and sees her, he is empowered to keep walking and finish the show. This begins their career of performing together.
“Once you walk on the wire your feet will never be happy on the ground.”
Being on the wire has a way of narrowing life down to the basics. Focusing on what really matters. After all that’s why we went out on this wire in the first place. For people, for the gospel, for Jesus. When I keep that focus in front of me it encourages me again to keep going. It’s the truth that He is going before me, holding my hand and providing all the strength power and support I need. I just need to trust Him. I believe He will get me safe to the other side. But I’m realizing that the other side doesn’t come 'til heaven. That’s when I’ll really be safe and my walk of faith will end. Some days on the wire I’m going to have cup of tea and just enjoy the view. For now I’m gripping tightly to my Savior's hand and trusting Him to show me my next step as we figure this out.
“Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”
So who wants to join us out on the wire? The views are really great and you will gain a greater sense of what God is doing and how He can use you to do great things! What steps of faith can you take today to feel the excitement of living out the gospel in your family, work, school or community?
We would be so encouraged to hear how God is leading YOU!
- Sarah Clouse