Can I Get a Volunteer? *

These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.
Matthew 15:8 NLT

I heard a great analogy tonight involving the story of daredevil, Charles Blondin, the first man to walk across the Niagara Falls Gorge. In his very first attempt back in 1859, he drew thousands of people, and he made it all the way across with quite a bit of fanfare, too. It is reported that he actually laid back on the rope like he was reclining in a chair and finished the walk with a somersault. It was not his only time to cross the Falls.

On one trip the famous Frenchman walked the tightrope on stilts! On still another, he lowered himself to a steamer below and drank from a bottle, then climbed back up and finished his crossing. People loved him! They were enthralled by his antics and nonchalance on his crossings.

After another of his successful crossings, he polled the people, "Do you believe I could cross the Falls pushing someone in a wheelbarrow?" The crowd's uproar of affirmation was deafening... until he asked for a volunteer. No one. Not one person wanted to get in the wheelbarrow.

Is our faith in God like that? Oh, we see He sent Christ to take our sin. Oh, we believe He is God - just ask us, we'll tell you. 

How about when HE asks us to trust Him... to step out in faith? After we have seen everything He has done - What is our response?

Prayer:

Father,
         Forgive us when we don't immediately respond to Your call. Open our eyes to see those times. Change our hearts, O God! We want them to honor You and to be close to You at all times. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen