We all go through certain stages in our life. Parents have experienced the stage called the “terrible twos” when a child begins to test their limits and express their independence. That is just a rehearsal for the rebellious stage of the teenage years. Then, somewhere between 35 and 45 we go through a stage called “mid-life crisis”. I was a Christian during my teens and middle age. I think that may have toned down my feelings during those stages, but they were still there and very real. I have heard people talk about another stage called “second childhood”, but I’m not really familiar with that one. At 75, I’m still not quite finished with my first one yet.
A good friend and Christian brother said he heard a song on the radio that spoke to him in a very personal way. The song is Tightrope and you know if there are meaningful lyrics anywhere I will share them with you, so here is a portion of that song. “Can’t pretend that I’m blind; can’t go back and erase the mind. Naivety and wide-eyed wonder are far from me, but at least now I see it’s like I’m walking on a tightrope stretched across the universe way too high to go back from where I came and overwhelmed at the miles I’ve yet to tame. I’m too far in to turn around now and I’ve got too far to go to sit down now; too far in, too far to go. Hanging there in space my toes gripping the rope, it’s the only hope; that golden thread that got me here will be the same that brings me to the end. I know You’re with me. You surround me. Your invisible hand is around me in this uncomfortable in between where I’m too far in to turn around now.”
Isn’t that a great description of the mid-life crisis we all go through? It has been years since I felt that way, but I can still revisit those feelings of anxiety and helplessness. It really did seem at the time that I was on a high wire working without a net, but no safety equipment is needed when God’s strong arm is around you. I’m much closer to the end of my sometimes scary, always exciting journey. My mental and spiritual balance are still strong as I near the platform at the end of life’s tightrope, but physically I inch along slowly and carefully with a cane in each hand for balance and support while thanking God for His assuring arm around me knowing that He will get me safely to my destination walking with me each step of the way.
Over and over again in the Psalms, we read of the danger, fear, despair and helplessness the writer experienced in his life. But in every instance he called out to God for relief and He was always there and He will always be there for us when we turn to Him.