I sat down at my computer to knock out this week’s blog post, stepped away for a minute, and returned to find this on the screen:
“This is a beautiful true story of a lovely time when my family and I started to go into the circus business.”
Props to my wife for highjacking my laptop and making me laugh out loud. Thanks to her I have decided to postpone my intended blog post and run with her fun idea instead.
So here you go…
1. Trapeze Require Trust
Somersaulting through the air 100 feet above the ground into the arms of someone else requirers trust.
Sharing your hurts and deepest secrets with a pastor requires trust.
Being transparent with a friend about your hidden feelings requirers trust.
Stepping out in faith so God can move in your life requires trust.
Those who trust in the Lord are as secure as Mount Zion; they will not be defeated but will endure forever. —Psalm 125:1 (NLT)
2. Tightrope Walking Requires Focus
Walking on rope several hundred feet in the air without a safety net requires focus.
Sticking to your vision requires focus.
Resolving conflict requires focus.
Serving Jesus faithfully requires focus.
If Nik Wallenda would have kept looking behind when walking over the Grand Canyon he would have fallen to his death. We must focus our eyes on Christ (and keep moving forward) if we’re going to survive the evils of this world.
…but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead. —Philippians 3:13 (NLT)
3. Taming Lions Requires Boldness
Stepping into a circus cage with a real lion requires tremendous courage (and a whole lot of crazy), yet it takes the same kind of courage to lead a church and to serve Christ faithfully in a culture than has become intolerant of Christians.
Remember, Jesus said this would happen! Let His words encourage you, “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first.” Then He added, “Be of good cheer. I have overcome the world.”
We’re not called to play it safe!
The wicked run away when no one is chasing them, but the godly are as bold as lions. —Proverbs 28:1 (NLT)
When I asked for your help, you answered my prayer and gave me courage. —Psalm 138:3 (CEV)
4. Training Elephants Requires Patience
Convincing a 10,000 pound elephant to balance himself on a tub doesn’t happen overnight. This takes hours and hours of consistency and a great deal of patience.
When it comes to maintaining healthy relationships within the church, patience is a necessity. It’s no wonder why it’s also one of the attributes of the fruit of the Spirit.
Patience is essential, especially when you’re in the wilderness. Things would have fared much better for the Israelites if they would have simply been patient with Moses (ad God).
Are you in the wilderness right now? Don’t freak out! Romans 12:12 says, “Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.”
I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry. —Psalm 40:1 (NLT)
5. The Human Cannonball Requires Calculation
Launching oneself from an oversized cannonball over a crowd of people into a safety net requires extensive preparation. Without precise calculations your first launch could be your last. Splat!
The same rings true when it comes to following Christ. Jesus said we had better count the cost. It’s not easy, but it’s definitely worth it!
And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple. “But don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it? —Luke 14:27-28 (NLT)
6. The Globe of Terror Requires Teamwork
Zooming round-and-round-and-upside-down inside a gigantic metal globe on a motorcycle —while additional motorcycles are inside doing the same thing—requires teamwork. One little mess-up means one big mess!
Scripture is clear that the Church is one body with many parts—and the only way to function well is to work together.
…You can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoy its results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honor. —James 3:18 (MSG)
7. Being a Circus Clown Requires A Good Sense of Humor
Making kids laugh for a living must be a pretty sweet gig that requires a good sense of humor. I know, I know—some of your are creeped out by clowns. I’m not talking about drunk birthday clowns or evil clowns. I’m talking about happy circus clown…with an emphasis on happy.
If a circus clown is the happiest performer under the big top, how much more happy should we be as followers of Christ? And we’re not performing. It’s not an act. We have good news. We’ve experienced God’s grace and mercy. We’re forgiven. Guilt and shame has been removed. We have something to smile about!
So go ahead and smile right now. Laugh! Having a good sense of humor is not only for you; everyone around you will benefit from it.
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength. —Proverbs 17:22 (NLT)
