Life as a Trapeze Artist

A few years ago, I took my kids to the circus. It was the first time they had ever been to a circus, and they were SO excited. They sat transfixed as the lions and tigers and bears entered the ring, led by their trainers. They laughed—belly-laughed—as the clowns acted like clowns. They sat transfixed as the tightrope walkers balanced their way across the ring.

But our favorite act?

I would have to say it was the trapeze artists.

There’s nothing quite like watching these fearless individuals fly across the tent. You wonder how they can have such an intricate combination of strength and grace. You watch breathlessly, wondering how they can have such trust in their partners. It is simply an amazing act to watch.

As I thought about these trapeze artists, I began to think about how they model the Christian life. Maybe there’s something we can learn from them.

Trapeze artists have complete trust in their partner. Who is our partner in this act known as life? Trapeze artists can let go of their own swing trusting their partner has the strength and the positioning to catch them and prevent them from falling.

God calls us to partner with Him, to allow Him to be our guide in every area of life. He calls us to cast off everything that would hinder us and the sin that so easily entangles. He calls us to trust Him to fight our battles as only He can (Exodus 14:14).

Trapeze artists are in step with their partner.  Trapeze artists work together daily. They get to know their partners closely. They can anticipate what the other one will do.

Isn’t that the way we are supposed to be with our Father? Aren’t we supposed to abide in Him every moment of every day (John 15:5)? Aren’t we supposed to keep in step with the Spirit (Galatians 5:25)? Aren’t we supposed to know Him so well we can hear His still small voice in the midst of the chaos of this world?

Trapeze artists soar above the troubles of this world. I have never had the courage to go sky-diving or swing on a trapeze bar. I can only imagine how exhilarating it must be to defy gravity, to soar above the world.

I believe that’s what God calls us to do every single day. He doesn’t want us to be weighed down by the troubles this world throws at us. Instead, He wants us to cast our cares on Him because He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7). He wants us to focus fully on Him so His perfect peace can hold us tightly (Isaiah 26:3).

He wants us to remember that He has overcome every trouble we face in this life (John 16:33). God never intended us to get weighed down by the troubles and care of this world. He wants us to soar like a trapeze artist.

I don’t know if I will ever look at a trapeze artist the same. I want to live my life like they perform.

****

If you love the circus, I encourage you to check out the new (old) movie Dumbo! It’s in theaters this weekend. It has to be one of my Disney favorites!

DUMBO Trailer:    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NiYVoqBt-8&t=1s

About The Movie (Synopsis)

From Disney and visionary director Tim Burton, “Dumbo” expands on the beloved classic story where differences are celebrated, family is cherished and dreams take flight.   Circus owner Max Medici (Danny DeVito) enlists former star Holt Farrier (Colin Farrell) and his children Milly (Nico Parker) and Joe (Finley Hobbins) to care for a newborn elephant whose oversized ears make him a laughingstock in an already struggling circus. But when they discover that Dumbo can fly, the circus makes an incredible comeback, attracting persuasive entrepreneur V.A. Vandevere (Michael Keaton), who recruits the peculiar pachyderm for his newest, larger-than-life entertainment venture, Dreamland. Dumbo soars to new heights alongside a charming and spectacular aerial artist, Colette Marchant (Eva Green), until Holt learns that beneath its shiny veneer, Dreamland is full of dark secrets.  “Dumbo” soars into theaters on March 29.