In David’s “Trust and Obedience” class last Wednesday night, he mentioned the familiar story of the Niagara Falls tightrope walker. Legend has it that Charles Blondin, a French daredevil in the 1860’s, asked crowds if they believed he could traverse the falls pushing a wheelbarrow.
Yes. They knew he could. He had crossed Niagara Falls several times and several ways—backwards, blindfolded, on stilts, at night.
But would they volunteer to ride across in the wheelbarrow? No. Their faith wouldn’t take them that far.
How far does our faith take us? If we truly believe that Jesus is THE WAY, the only way, will we get in the wheelbarrow he’s pushing? Hasn’t he proven himself to us already in the crazy situations we get ourselves in—backwards, blindfolded, on stilts, at night?
If we believe he’s so trustworthy, what’s holding us back?
Fear of falling? Risk of being out of control? Too proud? Lack of motivation to get to the other side?
At times, we get in the wheelbarrow anyway. Even though we’re scared. And we hunker down in the bottom, hands over our heads, and pray that the Lord really knows what he’s doing with our lives. It’s out of our hands, and we finally acknowledge it.
Other times, we get in and feel confident enough to look over the top, but still cling white-knuckled to both sides. We may not feel totally safe, but we’re trying to enjoy the ride.
And then there are those rare moments when we stand up in the wheelbarrow and look around at the glorious water underneath and dance around and revel in being in God’s hands. Those are the times we were made for.
Perhaps it will take time to learn to live more in those moments, to truly trust.
But until then, let’s jump in the wheelbarrow anyway. “I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24) We really ARE safe there, whether we feel like we are or not.
Enjoy the ride.
Yes. They knew he could. He had crossed Niagara Falls several times and several ways—backwards, blindfolded, on stilts, at night.
But would they volunteer to ride across in the wheelbarrow? No. Their faith wouldn’t take them that far.
How far does our faith take us? If we truly believe that Jesus is THE WAY, the only way, will we get in the wheelbarrow he’s pushing? Hasn’t he proven himself to us already in the crazy situations we get ourselves in—backwards, blindfolded, on stilts, at night?
If we believe he’s so trustworthy, what’s holding us back?
Fear of falling? Risk of being out of control? Too proud? Lack of motivation to get to the other side?
At times, we get in the wheelbarrow anyway. Even though we’re scared. And we hunker down in the bottom, hands over our heads, and pray that the Lord really knows what he’s doing with our lives. It’s out of our hands, and we finally acknowledge it.
Other times, we get in and feel confident enough to look over the top, but still cling white-knuckled to both sides. We may not feel totally safe, but we’re trying to enjoy the ride.
And then there are those rare moments when we stand up in the wheelbarrow and look around at the glorious water underneath and dance around and revel in being in God’s hands. Those are the times we were made for.
Perhaps it will take time to learn to live more in those moments, to truly trust.
But until then, let’s jump in the wheelbarrow anyway. “I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24) We really ARE safe there, whether we feel like we are or not.
Enjoy the ride.
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