Ken in Dunlap, TN on the side of beautiful mountain!

There’s an old saying: “Growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional.”  Although I am growing older, I refuse to grow up. There is a childlike part of me that will remain with me all my life. I feel very confident I will still enjoy the magic of Disney when I am in my 80′s.  I love movies that have simple but moral messages. But there are other aspects of being childlike… one of them is the being CRAZY part.

 I did something crazy last week. But it was AWESOME! I’ve always wanted to do it. I’ve talked about it for a long time, but until recently, the opportunity had never truly presented itself.  I sang a song in church to go with my Pastor’s sermon series called “Live Like You Were Dying.”  The concept is based on: What IF you only had 30 days to live? What would you do? The chorus to the song talks about all the things a man did once he was diagnosed with a terminal disease. After I sang it in church, a man walked up to me with a brochure on his business: HANG GLIDING! As I said. I had ALWAYS wanted to do this! So… I did! The attached video at the end of this blog shows you “the rest of the story.” For more information on where I did this (if you live close to East Tennessee and are interested in doing this yourself can be found by clicking HERE.)

Ken performs the Table of Death escape in 2006

For those who are surprised by this, you shouldn’t be. After all, I am an illusionist! If you’re an illusionist, you’ve got to be a little crazy. I mean think about it: what other profession escapes from overhead spikes, makes people float in mid air, attempts to read somebody’s mind, and tries other things “normal” people wouldn’t attempt (like crawling through a high speed fan while it is running full speed)? I mean, come on… that’s just not normal.  Maybe you think like me sometimes: “Who thinks of this stuff and how did they have to try this out BEFORE it worked correctly?!”

I was thinking that very thing the other day when I was on an airplane. And yet, most of us think nothing about putting our lives in the hands of a complete stranger (the pilot).  Statiscally, it is still the safest way to travel. A child never worries about the things we worry about. On a plane, adults are thinking about crashing, the child is focused on the wonder of flying. Adults are focusing on the heights they see outside the window, children are focused on the amazing views.

The beautiful view that God created!

Did you know that children lose the majority of their creativity half way through their elementary school years? I find that disturbing and distressing, too. It is TAUGHT. Children literally have to be taught NOT to be creative! We train our kids to “grow up” as fast as possible. Our schools continually eliminate fine arts in favor of math, science, and sports programs. Children are being told to study reading, writing, and arithmetic.  Although sports are still considered essential to development, somehow fine arts and creativity have become passe.  In the movie “Mr. Holland’s Opus” (one of favorites because it reminds me so much of my father), Mr. Holland ends up losing his job as a music teacher because of budget cut backs. When Mr. Holland protests, one of the school board members replies, “If I have to choose between writing and music I choose writing,” to which Mr. Holland replied, “The only problem with that philosophy is pretty soon our children won’t have anything to write about!”  I agree. Creativity itself is a dying art. Our God is a God of creativity! The Bible refers to Him in Genesis as “Elohim.” The name literally means “Creator.” Just look around you! Look at all He has made! As children we have this creative edge written into our DNA by Elohim!

I love being around kids for several reasons. First of all, they’re completely honest. You never have to wonder where you stand with a kid. If your hair is sticking straight up or if you have bad breath, a kid will tell you in a heartbeat.  Secondly, they know NO limits. They’ll dream anything and believe anything is possible. I love that! Thirdly, they have the BEST ideas (again, because they have no limits). Some of the best ideas for my illusion shows have come from a kid asking me a question. Their minds are absolute sponges. If we could maintain that pliability into our adult years we would all be brilliant!

I’m not at all suggesting we abandon good sense in favor of acting like a child all the time.  But, as adults, we have an advantage (at least many of us do) that most children don’t: WISDOM. Unfortunately, we feel we have to trade in our creativity for our wisdom. In actuality, those two were always meant to walk hand in hand. Their combination is potent and each of them balances out the other. And of course there is one more important element that goes with them both: FAITH.

I think it’s important that we remain childlike. Especially as Christians. Jesus said in Mark 15:14-15, “Let the little children come to Me and do not forbid them, for of such is the Kingdom of God. Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the Kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.” Jesus wasn’t saying unless we receive Him as Lord during our childhood years, we can never do it. He was saying that unless we come to Him with childlike faith, we can never receive Him. 

Childlike faith… simple belief and trust in Him! There is such power in that kind of faith. May God grant all of us the ability to view the world with the wisdom of an adult, the faith of a child, and the creativity that comes from our awesome God! With those three strengths at work in a person’s life, ANYTHING is possible!!

I had all sorts of inspiration from the Lord during this moment of creativity. I taped a new intro to my illusion show, created a new devotion for my choir, and experienced the freedom of flight and the beauty of God’s creation! Your only limitation is your own creativity! And since Elohim has given you His creativity, the opportunities are limitless! Enjoy my creative, childlike moment… and then go create a few of your own!