I Believe

What does it mean to say, “I believe?” It is one thing to say I believe that John Smoltz is a great pitcher. I am making a statement that has no relevance on how I live my life – unless I am a fanatical fan! There is another, deeper level at which one may say, “I believe in . . .” At this level, belief is closer to trust. When my son jumps off a ledge into my arms, he is saying that he is willing to jump because he “believes in” me as his father.
All of us live by a creed of some sort. At some level we all move beyond believing that something is true to believing in something or someone. Developing a creed is an important aspect of life. Life for many people is a daily grind of endless monotony. We earn for a sense of purpose. We want to know that our struggles have reason. As a result we can view life as a journey for something to believe in. We are looking for a creed. Henry David Thoreau once suggested that the difference among us may well be that we march to a different set of drums. Thoreau was saying that at the center of every life, there is a rhythm that determines its pace. Change the rhythm and the pace will change. The result is that if you can establish what a person believes you can foresee that person’s behavior.
When I say the word, “God,” what comes to mind? The answer to that question could possibly reveal more about whom you are and how you act than you really know. A. W. Tozer says, “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” Most Americans believe in God, even if we cannot agree on what kind of God we believe in. Scripture reveals that God has created us and that He cares for us. We are told that God rules over our body, mind, and soul. As our Creator God is the one who provides the food and shelter. As our heavenly Father we can trust that he will keep us from evil and provide abundantly for all the needs of our lives. If we truly held to this belief about God how would our lives be different? Would we trust him more and complain less? Would we stop trying to play God and let God be God in our life? Would we be quicker to forgive and slower to get angry? Would we risk more because we know we are secure in His love? Would we pray more and pout less? Would we enjoy what we already have, knowing that if we truly needed something else, our Father in heaven would give it to us.
We live by what we believe ourselves to be. Each person needs to make a decision. A huge crowd was watching the famous tightrope walker, Blondin, cross Niagara Falls one day in 1860. He crossed it numerous times – a 1,000-foot trip 160 feet above the raging waters. He not only walked across it; he pushed a wheelbarrow across it. One little boy just stared in amazement. So after completing a crossing the fellow looked at the little boy and said, “Do you believe I could take a person across in the wheelbarrow without falling?” “Yes, sir. I really do.” The fellow says, “Well, then, get in, son.”