Belief

The large crowd was breathless with a mix of excitement and fear, watching the tightrope walker gracefully pad across a tightrope stretched over Niagara Falls. Once... twice... three times. On stilts. With a wheelbarrow. Pausing to cook and eat an omelet midway. Flamboyantly, he challenged the crowd: "do you believe I can carry a PERSON across the Falls in this wheelbarrow?" The response was immediate and decisive: "Yes! We believe!" "Then which of you is willing to get into the wheelbarrow?"

This true story shows something important about belief. It's possible to believe a thing is true, but remain unwilling to commit to it. Those people on the New York shore of the Niagara river really believed that Charles Blondin could carry someone across to the Canadian side. But not one of them was convinced enough to be willing to actually risk everything to that belief.

Jesus promised that whoever believes in Him would not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16) But He also later pointed out that many would call Him, "Lord, Lord." Yet some would still be lost, because they were trusting their good works. (Matthew 7:21-23) In fact, even the demons know the truth about God and are not saved. (James 2:19)

In the same way, I may believe all the right things about Jesus. I believe that Jesus is the one and only, true and living God. I believe that He became a man, lived completely without sin, and died in my place. But until I give myself completely to Him, I am not really in His wheelbarrow.

Are you in His wheelbarrow today? Jesus said, "none of you can be my disciples unless you give up everything." (Luke 14:33) It's in truly believing on Jesus, and asking Him to be your Lord, trusting only in the Leader of salvation, (Hebrews 2:10), the beginner and finisher of everything to do with faith, (Hebrews 12:2), that you are given the right to become the children of God. (John 1:12)

If you feel like you may have been like one of those passive "believers" on the New York shore, here's what to do:

TODAY: Jesus has already made the invitation. (Revelation 22:17) Respond to him in your own words. You might tell Him something like this - "Lord Jesus, I'm trusting you with everything today because I know you're my only hope. Please make me a child of God, only yours, acceptable to God because of your obedience and resurrection."

TOMORROW: Remember that it's your first day as a new creation! (2 Corinthians 5:17) Ask Him to show you what pleases Him and enable you to do it!

EVERY DAY: Remember, Jesus compared the Word of God with necessary food. (Matthew 4:4) The Bible is the main way He will speak to you, and prayer is the way to respond to Him. Make yourself available to Him each day.