Trapeze Faith

TRAPEZE FAITH

Church growth writer Dr. Win Arn told of an experience he had:

"’Jump . . . go ahead . . . jump!’ The words flew upward from boys and girls some sixty feet below. High above, I clutched the bar of a trapeze swinging back and forth in great arcs. At the apex of each swing, an empty trapeze bar came temptingly close. ’Jump . . . go ahead . . . jump!’ How did I get in such a predicament?"

"A fine group of talented teens had formed a youth circus. They presented a varied and unique program of tumbling, juggling, and trampoline, all with humor, costumes, and equipment. The suspense-filled climax to the performance as the high trapeze act where performers flipped, twirled, and twisted in an aerial extravaganza which brought gasps from the audience and thunderous applause.

"This talented group formed the cast for a film I was producing entitled ’Circus.’ One afternoon while waiting for the photographer, one youth turned to me, pointed to the high trapeze, and said, ’Why don’t you try it?’ I quickly changed the conversation, but other youths heard the challenge and joined the growing chorus. ’Try it . . . try it!’ Eyeing the large safety net under the paraphernalia, I cautiously replied, ’Well . . . why not?’"

"Very slowly and very carefully I began to climb the small rope ladder. Twenty feet . . . thirty feet . . . thirty-five . . . forty thousand . . . fifty thousand . . . finally I crawled onto a minuscule platform which seemed miles above the assembled crowd. I looked down. The once large safety net had shrunk to unbelievably small proportions. A slight breeze caused the platform to sway and the wires softly sigh."

"’Go ahead; you can do it!’ the youths encouraged. Taking the trapeze bar in my perspiring hands and steadying my shaking knees, I prepared to jump. Across from my platform a youth was ready to send forth the empty trapeze. Mustering up all my courage, I cried, ’Go!’ and went swinging into space."

Flying through the air, I made three important discoveries: First, you can’t hold on to one bar while grasping for the other. You must let both hands go and leap! A decision is vital. Second, it’s frightening and threatening to let go of your security. Third, you don’t have forever to make up your mind.

"’Jump . . . go ahead . . . jump!’ On the third arc I did! Flying through the air, I reached out and grasped the bar with my fingertips, went swinging to the other side, and was pulled safely to the platform. Amid the applause and cheers of the youths below, I had taken a leap of faith."