GO FLY A KITE

In 1847, Charles Ellet won the contract to build an what would become the engineering marvel of the time - a suspension bridge over the mighty Niagara River. But he had a problem: he had no way of stretching his first cable between the banks of the rivers. Any boat that tried to cross the fast-flowing river would be swept over the Niagara Falls.

Then Ellet hit on an idea: if a kite carrying a cord could be flown across the river, the cord could then be used to pull progressively larger and larger strings, ropes and cables across. So in January 1848, Ellet announced a kite-flying contest with a prize of $5 (worth about £200 today) to anyone who could secure a single cord to both sides of the river. A 16-year-old named Homan Walsh responded, and unlike all the other contestants, he decided to fly his kite from the Canadian side to the US side of the river. He succeeded, and the vital link was established.

This story reminds me of Paul’s words: By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward.

(1 Corinthians 3:10 – 14)

Once the suspension bridge was built, I am sure no one remembered the importance of Homan Walsh’s kite flying skills. But without that initial first step, the bridge could not have been built. Likewise, when we “fly a kite” with our neighbours, work colleagues, or fellow students, by sharing our testimony, or the good things we have received in Christ Jesus, our contribution to someone’s spiritual development may be forgotten. However, the effect of our “kite flying” might ultimately be sufficiently profound that that person might go on to receive Christ, become His disciple, and who knows, become a leader of stature within the Church……

So today, are you willing to “fly a kite” to seek a higher a prize?