Transformational Thought
Two talented tightrope walkers amazed the crowd with acrobatics while crossing treacherous Niagara Falls. After many dangerous stunts, one acrobat asked the crowd if they thought he could cross the rope pushing his partner in a wheelbarrow. One man yelled, “I believe you can because you performed so many amazing feats already.” After the acrobat wheeled his partner across the Falls in the wheelbarrow, he again asked the crowd to be next and get in the wheelbarrow. No one came forward. They believed he could accomplish the feat, but lacked enough faith to put their own life in his hands.
Would you get in that acrobat’s wheelbarrow? Intellectual faith (or belief) is knowing you would be safe. Behavioral faith puts into action what we actually believe. There are simple truths that just jump out of The Holy Bible and grab us. Hebrews 11:16 contains one of those “ah ha” truths: Without faith, it is impossible to please God. Everyday is filled with these crossroads … of whether we truly believe God is who He says He is, does what He says He does, and knows all He says He knows. Do we just intellectually believe but in our daily lives avoid His wheelbarrow test? Or do we really have faith as evidenced by action based on that intellectual knowledge? This is where the rubber meets the road. You see, it is not just believing … belief is where it starts and is the first intellectual step. But then you have to have faith, make it real, apply it to your life, take the leap into His hands with all your being.
Faith in Jesus as Lord of your life is what separates the spiritually mature from the spiritually struggling believer. Faith tells God we are willing to put our life, our needs, and our fate in His hands, and are willing to let Him be in control instead of us. We actually get in the wheelbarrow … without reservation or fear! We recognize that He is God, and we are His flawed human children who need all He will infinitely give. God loves this like any parent would. When we are truly able to have behavioral faith, admit our weakness, see His strength, and start getting out of His way, He can do amazing transformational work in our lives!!!!
Today, take a chance. Do one thing differently … the way you know God wants you to do it even though you haven’t in the past. Watch God lead you into freedom. Take a ride in His wheelbarrow. Remember the simple formula of Christian life: Believe > Receive > Become. And the arrows are ever growing doses and actions of faith. Your decision, choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father, I know my increased faith and belief in You is pleasing to You, for You tell me in scripture that without faith it is impossible to please You. I pray that all those reading and walking on these Stepping Stones are becoming a more pleasing people to You. I know that believing that You exist is only the beginning; I know You want a personal, dynamic, life-transforming relationship with me and the entire Stepping Stones community and the world. I know those of us who “earnestly seek You” will be rewarded with Your intimate presence. I place all hope in You, Lord. I pray that You restore me to full health of body, mind and spirit. I pray this in the name of the One who got in Your wheelbarrow and went to the cross, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say – AMEN!
The Truth
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Hebrews 11:6
God is my refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, he I will not fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea.
Psalm 46:1-2
that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God
1 Corinthians 2:5