Doing the Impossible! Nik Wallenda...

Nik Wallenda’s tightrope walk on a two-inch cable stretching from one rim of the Grand Canyon to the other was an amazing accomplishment. The cable, about 1,400 feet long and 1,500 feet high, was secured into the rock at each end and then steadied by a series of pendulums which hung from the wire.

In an interview beforehand, Nik told how he had trained in high winds so as to be prepared for the gusts coming from rising heat at the bottom of the canyon. He had already successfully performed many other amazing stunts, including walking across the Niagara Falls on a tightrope, proving that he had the mental stamina as well as the ability to do this. But could he?

Al and I watched the recording the day after his walk, so we already knew the outcome. Nonetheless, we held our breaths as he stepped out onto the cable with his balancing stick suspended over his shoulders and the Colorado River far below.

    

A microphone attached to Nik’s shirt picked up his first words which were words of praise to God, thanking Him for the beauty of His creation. “Praise you, Jesus. Hallelujah!”

     

Then, the gusts of wind grew stronger. His dad, who was standing by as his coach and who was watching six different computer screens, encouraged him.

    

“Joe Cool ain’t so cool right now,” Nik exclaimed. “If only I could relax.” Nik’s steps created a swinging effect on the cable causing him to slow down. Talking to God, he said, “May you be glorified in me somehow,” thanking Him for strength.

    

His father cautioned him to be prepared for more wind. Nik came to a standstill and knelt down on one knee to try to control the cable’s movement. Slowly he stood back up and continued, struggling against the wind.

     

“Take your time. Take a deep breath,” advised his dad.

    

The cable was moving one way and the pendulums attached to it were swinging another way, creating an optical illusion. Even the walls of the canyon seemed to be moving. He couldn’t find a stable landmark, so instead he focused on Jesus.

    

“You are the King of Kings…you are my everything. You are my all in all, my peace, my wisdom, Jeshua—Jesus, my Savior.”

     

At the three-quarters mark, the wind grew stronger. Friends on the side he was walking towards held onto the cable to help steady it. “Keep paying attention,” his dad cautioned. “You’re not there yet…I want you to finish what you came to do.”

   

When he was still several yards from the end of the cable, Nik began running! He fell down and kissed the ground after taking that last step down off the cable. Hugs and kisses from his family, tears of joy and relief, a long drink of water… he had made it!

     

Nik demonstrated the power that comes from trusting wholly in the Lord and from praising Him. He had prepared himself mentally, physically and spiritually for the great challenge ahead. God was faithful and was glorified in that amazing feat.

    

May we, God’s children, walk with Him day by day, praising Him, acknowledging Jesus as our Lord and Savior and allowing the Holy Spirit to fill us with God’s power. Then, He will receive the glory and others will come to know Him too. Let’s go for it!

“The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.” Deuteronomy 33:27 NIV

To see a video on Nik's walk on Fox News, go to:

http://video.foxnews.com/v/2503097502001/

Published in the Porterville Recorder on 6-29-13