I watched Nik Wallenda walk 1,400 feet across the Grand Canyon on television tonight. Wallenda had cameras attached to his body so viewers could see what he was seeing. As one who is not a big fan of heights, looking straight down at the river bed 1,500 feet below, brought new meaning to reality TV.
I really had no idea what to expect from this telecast. I cannot comprehend why someone would exchange solid ground for a 2” cable and a 1,500 drop. In any event, I was more than a little surprised to hear Nik Wallenda immediately begin to praise God and ask him to protect him during his walk. But he didn’t stop there. He asked God to control the wind, the cable, and nearly everything else as he continued his walk. He freely and frequently addressed Jesus as the Lord of the wind and waves. He asked God to control the swaying cable. He praised God for his wonder and power and glory. His prayers, acknowledgments, and declarations regarding God contradicted most of the programming on the Discovery Channel.
I don’t know anything about Wallenda’s theology or particular beliefs beyond what I saw tonight on TV. What I do know is that if I were in a situation like Wallenda was in I would want to say exactly the same things that he said with reference to his praise and dependence on God.
The truth is that all of our situations are exactly like the one that Nik Wallenda was in tonight. The only reason we are safe is because of God’s shepherding care.
3 thoughts on “Faith on a Wire”
While I was glad to hear his prayers to God and giving him all the glory, my husband and I noticed he said nothing about thanking God after the walk. We all need to remember to give God the glory all the time, not just in the trying times.
Great point! Check out the subsequent post, Faith on a wire – on balance, for some additional considerations. Thanks for your observation.
While we should always give thanks to God and recognize He is in control of all things, why would you intentionally do something so risky for nothing more than publicity?