Cirque du Soleil
- Kingdom Kulture
- Jul 31
- 5 min read
A few weeks ago, I was having a conversation with a spiritual mentor who told me that his daughter was in Cirque du Soleil. I was very impressed by the courage that his daughter had to partake in such a career. I couldn’t imagine the anxiety I would have as a father watching my daughter perform these crazy stunts.
He proceeded to tell me that she was normally 50 to 60 feet in the air during her stunts. He also informed me that there was typically a small, thin wire connected to her that offered support and stability. He also mentioned that usually, hidden beyond the eyesight of the crowd, was a safety net ensuring his daughter’s protection.
I couldn’t help but think about how calm his demeanor seemed while he explained such a wild scene. Hearing the stories from a spectators point of view, I couldn’t fathom attempting to do something like this on my own. However as I thought deeper, it seemed as though his daughter had made a career out of these crazy events. As I thought more on the subject, I began to draw many comparisons to the faith lifestyle.
As believers, our initial stance of faith in Jesus Christ seems absolutely insane to the carnal man. Not only are we confessing belief in Someone we haven’t seen, but we are also expected to follow Someone that we have never seen using His spirit as our personal GPS.
"18 For the story and message of the cross is sheer absurdity and folly to those who are perishing and on their way to perdition, but to us who are being saved it is the [manifestation of] the power of God." - 1 Corinthians 1:18 AMPC
Just like a spectator during Cirque du Soleil, our lives should look impossible to others looking from a natural (ground) perspective.
"7 For we walk by faith [we regulate our lives and conduct ourselves by our conviction or belief respecting man’s relationship to God and divine things, with trust and holy fervour; thus we walk] not by sight or appearance." - 2 Corinthians 5:7 AMPC
In the Bible, we see Peter was able to walk on water. Similarly, by focusing their attention on things above and not the crowd and opinions below, we see many athletes in Cirque du Soleil achieving great success.
"2 And set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth. 3 For [as far as this world is concerned] you have died, and your [new, real] life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, Who is our life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in [the splendour of His] glory." - Colossians 3:2-4 AMPC
By not focusing on what was beneath him, Peter was able to do the impossible. It was not until he started to take his eyes off of Jesus that we see him begin to sink. Much similar to the sinking of the feet of Peter, the true Gospel of Jesus has also taken a nosedive over time due to us not preaching the true standard of Jesus but shifting our focus to the feelings of man.
"10 Now am I trying to win the favor of men, or of God? Do I seek to please men? If I were still seeking popularity with men, I should not be a bond servant of Christ (the Messiah). 11 For I want you to know, brethren, that the Gospel which was proclaimed and made known by me is not man’s gospel [a human invention, according to or patterned after any human standard]." - Galatians 1:10-11 AMPC
Unfortunately, today many pastors focus their attention on the opinion of their congregation instead of the standard that Jesus set with His message - leading many people to the alter, but very few to actual change in their lives. We must preach the Gospel of Jesus as bold as Stephen with our eyes fixed on Jesus, the One sitting above, not caring about the opinions of men below.
"55 But he, full of the Holy Spirit and controlled by Him, gazed into heaven and saw the glory (the splendor and majesty) of God, and Jesus standing at God’s right hand; 56 And he said, Look! I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing at God’s right hand! 57 But they raised a great shout and put their hands over their ears and rushed together upon him. 58 Then they dragged him out of the city and began to stone him, and the witnesses placed their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 And while they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, Lord Jesus, receive and accept and welcome my spirit! 60 And falling on his knees, he cried out loudly, Lord, fix not this sin upon them [lay it not to their charge]! And when he had said this, he fell asleep [in death]." - Acts 7:55-60 AMPC
Similar to the performers in Cirque du Soleil, we must have complete faith when attempting to do the impossible for a better chance of a successful life in the Kingdom. And much like the reactions of spectators of the Cirque, a true life of faith brings confusion and fear to those who have none.
"51 You stubborn and stiff-necked people, still heathen and uncircumcised in heart and ears, you are always actively resisting the Holy Spirit. As your forefathers [were], so you [are and so you do]! 52 Which of the prophets did your forefathers not persecute? And they slew those who proclaimed beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, Whom you now have betrayed and murdered—" - Acts 7:51-52 AMPC
In scripture, we see that even the family and friends of Jesus came to "talk Him off the ledge” that He was building His life on. Not being personally acquainted with the foundation that the life of Jesus was built on, His peers had no other choice but to assume the worst.
"20 Then He came to a house [in Capernaum], and a crowd formed again, so [many people] that Jesus and His disciples could not even eat a meal [together]. 21 When His own family heard this they went to take custody of Him; for they were saying, “He is out of His mind.” 22 The scribes who came down from Jerusalem were saying, “He is possessed by Beelzebul (Satan),” and “He is driving out the demons by the [power of the] ruler of the demons.” - Mark 3:20-22 AMPC
How could Jesus, who had no sin and was blameless throughout his entire life, be perceived as a lunatic? The truth is that unless we start the process of renewing our mind, the faith life will come off as unresponsible or even blasphemous. The picture that was painted of Jesus didn't last. In the end, it is only the truth, which is Jesus, that will stand.
Question of the day: Does the appearance of wisdom amongst the prescence of fools make someone wise or foolish?
