“In the nineteenth century, the greatest tightrope walker in the world was a man named Charles Blondin. On June 30, 1859, he became the first man in history to walk on a tightrope across Niagara Falls. Over twenty-five thousand people gathered to watch him walk 1,100 feet suspended on a tiny rope 160 feet above the raging waters. He worked without a net or safety harness of any kind. The slightest slip would prove fatal. When he safely reached the Canadian side, the crowd burst into a mighty roar.
In the days that followed, he would walk across the Falls many times. Once he walked across on stilts; another time he took a chair and a stove with him and sat down midway across, cooked an omelet, and ate it. Once he carried his manager across riding piggyback. And once he pushed a wheelbarrow across loaded with 350 pounds of cement. On another occasion, he asked the cheering spectators if they thought he could push a man across sitting in a wheelbarrow. A mighty roar of approval rose from the crowd.
Spying a man cheering loudly, he asked, “Sir, do you think I could safely carry you across in this wheelbarrow?”
“Yes, of course.”
“Get in,” the Great Blondin replied with a smile.
The man refused.
Here is the question—Will we trust God’s strength and wisdom to carry us across the “Mighty Niagara Falls” of our life? We all have circumstances in life that seem impossible to us.
Remember what Proverbs 3:5-6 says: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”
In Chapter 9 of Romans, Paul is writing about the sovereignty and justice of God. In writing about a challenging subject, he gives a relatable example of God’s strength, wisdom and authority in our relationship with Him.
Romans 9:20-21
On the contrary, who are you, O man, who answers back to God? The thing molded will not say to the molder, “Why did you make me like this,” will it? 21 Or does not the potter have a right over the clay, to make from the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for common use?
Try to imagine creating a masterpiece –a clay vessel, a painting, a song, a delicious meal, a novel, a game, a theory, etc.—and the masterpiece rising up to protest your creativity? My response would probably be, “Wait a minute! You wouldn’t even be here if it weren’t for me.”
Interesting concept to ponder as it relates to acknowledging God.