I’m not much of a thrill seeker, but I did get coerced into zip lining once, at Niagara Falls, of all places! Two of my sweet friends were doing it, and I wanted to appear brave, so I did it too. It was actually super fun and energizing, but not really much of a risk. I definitely would not have done it if I had thought there was a smidgen of a chance that I could fall. I hadn’t intended to zip line that day. The opportunity just presented itself, and I took it with no preparation or forethought.
Click Here To See a Really Cool Video Of Me Zip Lining Niagara Falls!
Many, many thrill seekers had done it before me. Many, many were doing it along with me, and many, many have done it since I did. People were lined up to have the experience, and those lines of people have been refreshed thousands of times since my zip lining experience.
It takes no forethought to go along with the crowd.
“It takes no forethought to go along with the crowd.” -Pat Vick Share on X
TIGHTROPE WALKING…now that’s a different thing all together. Tightrope walking takes focus, balance and self-discipline.
FOCUS
No one just decides to go walk a tightrope one day, unless it’s a pretend one in the back yard. It takes a deliberate intent. If you want to be a tightrope walker, you must learn the techniques involved. Not because they will make you look better, but because they will save your life…if you’re a tightrope walker.
“Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” (John 5:39)
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15)
BALANCE
Walking a tightrope involves a great deal of continual balance. Many times you will see a tightrope walker or slackliner using a long pole for balance. This helps the walker center himself and balance from his core. Lest you think balance is an insignificant thing, just remember that one misstep to the right or left will likely end in you plummeting to an untimely end…if you’re a tightrope walker.
“Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.” (Philippians 4:5)
SELF-DISCIPLINE
Tightrope walking is serious business. It’s not for the faint of heart. Once you’re walking, from your first step to your last, you must remain disciplined, applying every single thing you have ever learned every moment of the journey. Although you may have had many coaches who have given you great advice, when you’re walking the rope, it’s you calling the shots. You making every decision. You feeling every nuance of the tension in the line, and the direction of the wind in your face. You, who must control every stray thought and temptation to give up. I mean…where would you go once you quit…if you’re a tightrope walker?
“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14)
I woke early this morning with the phrase “Carpe Diem” in my head. It was my very first thought, before I was even awake enough to think. I rolled over and looked at the clock. It was a few minutes after 5:00 a.m. Six a.m. is my normal time to get up, so I stayed in bed another thirty minutes and got up at 5:30.
We all want to live productive lives. Lives full of meaning. Beneficial to our families, our communities, and to the Kingdom of God. Most of humanity goes through life hoping for this to be true, but we don’t have to leave it to chance.