Joanne’s Thought and Prayer

A story is told of a man named Blondin who was a famous tightrope walker. He placed a tightrope across Niagara Falls and proceeded to walk across it with a wheelbarrow in front of him. When he reached the other side, he stepped down to the applause of the crowd.

He went up to members of the crowd and asked: “Do you believe that I can walk back on that rope without falling off?” “Yes” they each replied. “Do you really believe I can make it” he asked. “Yes” they replied. “We’ve just seen you do it” “Then get into the wheelbarrow.”

Nobody got into the wheel barrel. That is the difference between believing and trusting.

We might believe that Christ can provide for all our needs but stepping into the wheelbarrow means we are really prepared to trust him to provide those needs.

Pope John Paul didn’t have a very easy life as a young man. By 1942, when he was just 21, he was the last remaining member of his family. His mother died in 1929, his brother in 1932 and his father in 1941. On top of that he was forced to work in a quarry and then in a chemical factory to avoid being deported by the Nazis.

He could have despaired – but he didn’t. Instead, he heard the call of God and he trusted it – so much so that he trained clandestinely for the priesthood – when it was dangerous to do so in Poland.

He didn’t just believe God was calling him – he trusted God to look after him too. He got into the wheelbarrow!

I encourage you all today – put your hand into the hand of God.

Decide to bring to Jesus those fears that cripple you. Trust Him to look after them and show you the way. Get into the wheel barrel.

Prayer:

Dear God, Give us courage to get into the wheel barrel. Help us to trust you. Take away our fears and give us strength to face whatever life has in store for us. AMEN