He did it! Nik Wallenda walked across the Grand Canyon on a wire without a tether. I was glued to the screen; I loved it and at the same time thought he was insane! However I couldn’t help but think we can all learn a few lessons from Nik when it comes to risk in our lives verses playing it safe: 1.) He was prepared. 2.) He knew his skill and ability was up to the challenge. 3.) He had a team of people who believed in him and was there to make him successful. 4.) He stepped out in faith!
Stepping Out In Faith Like Nik Wallenda
A life lived well must consist of faith, not just any old faith but courageous faith. Heb. 11:6 says “And it is impossible to please God without faith.” (NLT) Impossible! Notice the writer did not say improbable, or perhaps you might better please God as you mix in a little faith here and there, he said it’s impossible. Paul takes it one step further in Rom. 14:23 when he said that “everything that does not come from faith is sin.” (NIV) While the desire to have courageous faith is important for success in our areas of strength, (Nik Wallenda is living in his strength) we must know and remember that the goal is not the elimination of risk. Risk free faith does not exist.
Having courageous faith means more than simply focusing on what you believe, it’s a willingness to act on what you believe – stepping out on the wire without a tether! We know this intuitively in other areas of life. For instance if you were extremely ill and your doctor gave you medication you know that it’s not enough to simply have the medication in your medicine cabinet. In order for the medication to help, you must take it according to the doctor’s orders. We would never expect it to work without taking it, without applying. But when it comes to faith, we often would like to see it work before we apply it because we are so determined to eliminate risk. When faith is separated from application it is worthless. The means that God uses to paint the masterpiece of your life is courageous faith, which is a willingness to apply faith, to risk and step out and do what God is leading you to do.
James, the brother of Jesus tells us “faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.” (James 2:17 NLT) God cannot use faith that is separated from application to paint a masterpiece. James shows us clearly that it is worthless.
Thankfully most of us are not being lead to walk on a 2 inch wire across the Grand Canyon. Whatever God has placed before you today that requires faith in your life’s journey you can apply courageous faith in the same way Nik did: 1.) Get prepare. 2.) Live in your God given skill. 3.) Gather your team. 4.) Step out in faith. I might add once you step out in faith it’s a good idea to also follow Nik’s lead – pray, pray and pray some more!!!
(Adapted from chapter 9 of my book Life Palette, Keeping a Limited Palette)