Erik Weisz migrated from Hungary with his family to 1870s America, where he grew up with dreams of becoming famous. He tried showbiz, but fame kept avoiding him.
It was only after he started seriously studying how locks worked that he found doors literally opening for him.
These doors could have opened a career in security; or in the criminal world as a mastermind in cracking safes; but Weisz concentrated on devising spectacular ways to escape from the strongest locks.
Combining all his new skills with a change of name, he became “Harry Houdini – Escapologist”, and as the crowds kept coming, fame began struggling to keep up with him.
His stunts included defeating all kinds of physical restrictions – locks, cages, chains, ropes, traps, or water chambers – and he famously swam through freezing currents beneath icecaps.
And though he died in 1926, Houdini’s name is still a benchmark for any would-be daredevils.
His reputation grew so wide that he was invited by English prison authorities to escape from their newest jail within 30 minutes.
He eagerly accepted, scarcely believing how much time he had been given.
Arriving at the prison, Houdini was met by a huge crowd, waiting to see if he could meet the challenge and watching his every move as he entered the compound.
Once inside, and after hearing the massive metal door clang shut behind him, he took a length of flexible steel from inside his belt and began picking at the lock.
His first attempt produced nothing, so he kept trying.
But ever-increasingly feverish efforts also yielded no response, and time was running out.
Completely frustrated, he leaned back against the door and sensed it move.
Ever so slightly, for it had never been locked, and he realised that he had been set up!
Whenever we feel similarly locked away from what or where we would like to be, it helps to tap into God’s love.
For he is always within reach, and able to open the emotional locks that can form around any fear, regret or bitterness that clings to our memory and shuts down any thoughts of breaking free.
God’s love gently infuses our attitudes with acceptance, forgiveness, clarity and patience, so we may receive and release his healing and harmony into damaged or ruptured relationships.
He also helps us to embrace and to explore untried, creative opportunities that open fresh hopes for the future.
Noel Mitaxa
On behalf of a church near you, inviting you to explore God’s love
