THE ACROBAT

Outside the big tent crowds of mothers and fathers waited with their excited children for the opening night of the circus. With tickets clutched in one hand, bags of peanuts or coloured popcorn in the other, gently but firmly the crowd pushed its way to the entrance.

‘Tickets here,’ called the attendant who directed people to their seats in the tent.

There was a hum of excitement as the crowd anticipated the circus acts. Elephants. Lions. The monkeys. Performing dogs. Jugglers. However, the acrobat, Bobo, specially fascinated the children. High up in the blue and white striped tent stretched the taut wire where Bobo performed. He climbed the 25 steps of the silver ladder to the wire which was fastened tightly to special poles.

At each night’s performance the people waited excitedly for Bobo’s act. They craned their necks as Bobo reached the wire. The trapeze artists swung through the air to the rolling swings without slipping or falling into the net below. But Bobo moved carefully to ensure that he made no false move. His act require him to walk carefully balanced from one side of the taut wire over to the opposite platform..

The eager crowd held their breath anticipating Bobo’s walk. High above, Bobo took his first step. In his outstretched hands he held a wooden pole, which aided his balance. Without it he may have fallen to the ground below. Nevertheless, he walked steadily across the wire with the audience silent as he took every step.

Bobo, quite oblivious to the crowd, intently kept his balance, and carefully step-by-step, approached the other side. He was thinking to himself, ‘I must walk carefully’. Steady. Slowly. Don’t look down.’ Ah! At last he was there, and stepped safely on to the platform. Thunderous applause greeted him, and the Ring Master signalled, ‘Well done,’ as the crowd continued their clapping. Bobo bowed to the crowd in each direction, and left the tent.

Paul wrote to the Ephesian christians, ‘ See that you walk circumspectly.’

( Ephesians 5:15 KJV ) Is that a big word? Maybe! The Greek word for that big word is ‘acribose’ from which we get our English word ‘acrobat’. It is not one who jumps, twists, turns, or swings through the air, but like the tight-wire walker, he walks carefully looking ahead to being one day with Jesus.

But until then we live to please God and the Lord Jesus Christ, with God’s Holy Spirit, who helps us to live wisely and carefully as christians. Bobo needed the pole to keep him steady. We need God’s help to live to please Him.

Your letter to Gwenda will encourage her. hgsteward@cobweb.com.au