Tightrope

For me, there’s nothing more exciting to watch than a live circus. I have been to several ‘Cirque du Soleil’ shows and their acrobat acts are just simply the greatest. It's always a thrill watching their acrobats fly across the big dome with such dramatic performances. Even though I have a great fear of heights, I still do enjoy watching them from the ground. There’s the fire-eater, all sorts of jugglers, the flying trapeze, contortionists, and of course, the tightrope artists. Looking back, Karl Wallenda was probably the best-known tightrope artist of all time. He was the patriarch of a family that thrilled the world with their acts on the high wire back in the late 1960’s. But in 1978, Karl was crossing a tightrope 75 feet high above the ground stretched between two buildings when he lost his balance and plummeted to his death. After that incident, his wife talked about his career and that fateful tightrope act, “All Karl thought about for three straight months prior was falling. It was the first time he had ever thought about falling, and it seem that he had put all his energy into not falling rather than walking the tightrope.”

A lot of people fall because they’ve consumed all their time and energy thinking about not falling rather than accomplishing the task before them. Similarly, focusing only on the results could bring unpleasant consequences. Many people do their responsibilities and focus mainly only on what benefits they could get even if it would cause them their obedience to God.

When Samuel brought the message to Saul that God had sent him to anoint Saul as king of Israel, he also gave God’s message to Saul to smite Amalek and utterly destroy all that they have, spare none but slay both men, women, infants, ox, sheep, camel, donkeys and their fatlings. So Saul gathered his people, numbered them and came to a city of Amalek and waited in the valley. He warned the Kenites to go since they had been kind to all the children of Israel. As soon as the Kenites departed Amalek, Saul and his army attacked the Amalekites. He took Agag, the king of Amalekites alive and destroyed everything with sword. But Saul and his people spared Agag and the best of the sheep, oxen, the calves, lambs, and other animals; and all that was good were not destroyed. God was saddened for Saul did not performed according to what He commanded. When confronted by Samuel, Saul reasoned that the people spared the best of the sheep and of the oxen to offer as sacrifice unto God, and the rest had been utterly destroyed as the Lord had commanded. Samuel responded that the Lord had no delight in the burnt offerings and sacrifices if this causes you to fail obedience unto God for to obey is better than sacrifice (1 Samuel 15: 1-23). Saul walked on the tightrope. However, he missed out big time the process of doing what God had commanded Him to do. Instead, he became stubborn and later rebellious that God finally rejected Him and took away his kingdom. How ironic since we often behave like Saul and fall. We actually need to focus on the reasons for making the sacrifices rather than the sacrifice itself.

What does it take to successfully walk the tightrope, whether it’s 75 feet above the ground, or the tightrope of life? First is, perspective. When walking the tightrope, there is no fooling around. It’s strictly serious concentration and focus – your head up and eyes on the goal, staying alert.

Second, must have balance. Without it, you’re dead! This is where you learn to handle between business, social, family and peer pressures, church, managing finances, home affairs, giving and so on. Become a workaholic and you’re liable to burn out. I know because I do. This may cause you your family, but if you fail your family suffers.

Third, is tension, usually considered an enemy but you’ll need it. Without tension a violin sounds sharp, the wings of an airplane will sag, the tire on the cars go flat, and the tightrope walker will not get across the wire. But too much tension can also destroy you. Having not enough of it can keep you from being at your best.

There is one more crucial element needed to succeed in crossing the tightrope: courage! You may have all the above elements but without courage you’ll never step out and give it a go. Don’t just concentrate on not falling but instead, concentrate more on walking the tightrope.

“Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding great joy.” Jude 24 (KJV). We Christians have the assurance that Christ keeps us from falling prey to many things – although many of these are widespread and dangerous, there’s no need for us to be afraid if we trust Him and we are deeply rooted and grounded in Him.

Bible passage to read: Jude 24

“CONCENTRATE ON THE WALKING,

NOT THE FALLING IN TIGHTROPE OF LIFE”

The Christ of Christmas

Are you aware that even Christians today can miss the point of the Christmas story if they are not careful? There is a warning of the danger that we can become so charmed with the story of the baby that we have become so sentimental about and it does not demand any vital change in our way of thinking and living.

Now here’s the question: Is Christmas only a story about a baby born in a manger? Or is there more to Christmas than just a newborn child? Christmas is an undying story about a baby born in a manger that later grew up and redeemed the world from its sins and calls us into partnership with His great and mighty purposes.

When the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph, he said, “And she shall bring forth a Son, and thou shalt call His name Jesus for He shall save His people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21 (KJV). We are able to grasp the full meaning of Christ’s coming only when we see His birth in the light of His crucifixion and resurrection.

If Christ is the essence of Christmas, how does it affect our lives today? Did Christ’s birth made any difference at all? Many people come to a point of discouragement by saying “Christ’s coming to earth has made a little difference in one’s life because we still have so many problems.” As the world celebrate Christmas today, many shops and places remove ‘Christ’ in their Christmas by using the words “Merry X’mas” and “Happy Holidays”. “X” means the unknown factor. Thus, eliminating Christ as the center of their Christmas and their hearts.

But when you sit down and think about the difference Jesus’ life has made, you can reflect on these four truths:

1. Jesus did not remain a baby. He grew up to be strong in spirit (Luke 1:80) and had an effective ministry of teaching and healing (Matt. 9:35).
2. Jesus when He was crucified did not remain in the grave. He arose to be our living Savior (Matt. 28:1-7; Rev. 1:18).
3. Our risen Savior did not remain on earth. He ascended to heaven to prepare a place for us and to send the Holy Spirit to indwell us (John 14:2, 25-26; Acts 1:9).
4. Our ascended Lord will not remain in heaven. He will come back to take us home to be with Him (John 14:3).

In fact, the birth of Jesus Christ has made a difference, but it does not mean we will have a trouble-free life. We will have tribulation in this world but because Christ Himself have overcome the world is one good reason enough for us to be of good cheer (John 16:33). Because Christ’s presence and power is within us, we can triumph over trials. That’s grounds for good cheer! Instead of being overwhelmed by trials, we can face them confidently because Christ does make a difference.

With your eyes wide open this Christmas; respond to God with love and commitment for the gift of His Son. Focus your thoughts, actions and motivations toward honoring the Baby who grew up and died for all our sins. Christ the Savior is born!

Merry Christmas to one and all!

Bible passage to read: Matthew 1:18-25

“THE MISSION OF THE CROSS IS HIDDEN
IN THE MESSAGE OF THE CRADLE.”