The Secret to Flying: Trust Your Catcher
What can trapeze artists teach us about faith? More than you might imagine. Author Henry Nouwen discovered this truth when he attended a circus in Germany and became fascinated by the Flying Rodleighs, a spectacular trapeze act. Mesmerized by performers swinging through the air with seemingly impossible precision, Nouwen began traveling with the troupe to understand their secret.
At Lakeview Christian Church, we believe this simple circus lesson reveals profound spiritual truth about our relationship with God. Our mission is to be the change as Jesus has changed us through “Just 3” – Study to love and know God, Share to know and love others, and Serve as love in action.
The Flyer Does Nothing; The Catcher Does Everything
When Nouwen asked how they performed such death-defying stunts, one performer shared the secret: “The flyer does nothing. The catcher does everything. When I fly to Joe, I simply stretch out my arms and I wait to be caught. The worst thing I could do is try to grab his wrists – I’d break us both. A flyer must fly, and a catcher must catch. The flyer must trust with outstretched arms that his catcher will be there.”
This powerful illustration reveals a fundamental truth about faith. We are the flyers, and God is our catcher. Our job isn’t to control every outcome or manipulate circumstances. Our responsibility is to let go and trust that God will catch us.
Stop Managing on Your Own Strength
The hardest part of faith isn’t believing God exists – it’s releasing control. We exhaust ourselves trying to manage every detail, fix every problem, and plan every contingency. We grip tightly to our plans, relationships, careers, and futures, terrified of what might happen if we let go.
But here’s the reality: God wants to catch you. The question isn’t whether He’s capable or willing – it’s whether you’ll release your grip and trust Him. Matthew 11:28-30 reminds us, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
What Needs Releasing?
Through Study at Lakeview Christian Church, we learn that Scripture repeatedly calls us to trust rather than control. Proverbs 3:5-6 instructs, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
What are you white-knuckling today? Perhaps it’s:
- A relationship that feels uncertain
- Financial worries keeping you awake at night
- Career decisions that seem overwhelming
- Health concerns you can’t control
- Your children’s futures that terrify you
Faith Means Outstretched Arms
True faith looks like outstretched arms – open hands, released grip, trusting posture. When we try to “grab God’s wrists” by forcing our agenda or demanding specific outcomes, we risk breaking everything. But when we fly in faith, stretching out our arms and trusting our Catcher, we experience the freedom and peace God promises.
Through Share at Lakeview Christian Church, we discover that others are struggling with the same control issues. When we share our stories of letting go and experiencing God’s faithfulness, we encourage fellow believers to trust their Catcher too.
Active Trust Through Service
Serve – love in action – becomes natural when we trust God as our Catcher. We can serve sacrificially because we’re not protecting ourselves. We can give generously because we trust God’s provision. We can love boldly because we know God catches us when we risk.
First Peter 5:7 encourages us: “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” Casting isn’t passive; it’s active release. It’s the flyer letting go of the trapeze bar, arms outstretched, fully trusting.
The Invitation to Fly
God stands ready as your faithful Catcher. He’s never missed. He’s never dropped anyone who trusted Him. His track record is perfect, His arms are strong, and His timing is flawless.
The question remains: Will you let go? Will you stop exhausting yourself trying to manage everything through your own strength and power? Will you stretch out your arms in faith and trust that God will catch you?
At Lakeview Christian Church, we’re a community of flyers learning to trust our Catcher together. We study His Word to build faith, share our experiences to encourage one another, and serve because we’re free from the burden of control.
Today, identify one area where you’re gripping tightly instead of trusting fully. Stretch out your arms. Let go. Your Catcher is already there, waiting to catch you just as He promised. That’s not just good advice – it’s the essence of faith, the heart of the gospel, and the pathway to the abundant life Jesus offers.
