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Getting in God’s Wheelbarrow

The problem with using quotes from the internet is verifying the authenticity of the source. —Abraham Lincoln

It’s one of those stories that just gets better with time. Like most good stories, it began with a certain amount of truth. Yes, there was once a French man named Charles Blondin; and yes, he used to walk a tightrope across Niagara Falls in 1859 doing all sorts of stuff like wearing a blindfold, carrying his manager on his back, and cooking himself an omelet (no joke). He even pushed a wheelbarrow once. But that’s when “history” gets a little fuzzy.

For decades, preachers have been telling about the day that Blondin crossed The Falls with the wheelbarrow and yelled, “Do you believe?” “Yes!” the crowd cheered back. “Then get in the wheelbarrow!” The story goes that only one man was willing to volunteer, and off they went. There is even a version of this story in a noted Christian book where a man (who had a wager that they would fall) cut one of the supporting cables, causing the wire to sway dangerously. The man in the wheelbarrow jumped into Blondin’s arms who carried him the rest of the way as the wheelbarrow tumbled into the white-water abyss.

Yes, a great story that just gets better. Too bad we can’t find any record of it actually happening.

But you know what? Because this is such a great illustration of biblical truth, I’m going to go with it! (Just don’t quote me on it. Tell people you saw it on the internet and they will believe you for sure.)

Here’s the deal: We say we believe, but do we really? God will continue to ask us to regularly get into the metaphorical wheelbarrow, risking our emotions, our reputations, our money, and even our very physical well-being. Do we believe? Will we get in?

Lord, I believe… to a certain extent. I believe that a great adventure awaits me if I place my trust in You. I know that the faith of a mustard seed can move a mountain. Give me an opportunity to “get in Your wheelbarrow” today. The little bit of faith that I have in You, I give to You. Amen.

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