A man named Jack, so the story goes, was walking along a steep cliff one day when he accidentally got too close to the edge and fell. Fortunately he grasped a branch that kept him from plummeting more than a thousand feet. Jack began yelling for help, hoping that someone passing by would hear him and lower a rope or something. He yelled for a long time, but no one heard him. Ready to give up, he at last heard a voice from above.
“I can see you, Jack. Are you all right?”
“Yes, but who are you, and where are you?
“I am the Lord, Jack. I’m everywhere.”
“God, please help me! I promise if, you’ll get me down from here, I’ll serve you for the rest of my life.”
“Now, here’s what I want you to do, Jack. Listen carefully.”
“I’ll do anything, Lord. Just tell me what to do.”
“Okay. Let go of the branch.”
“What?”
“I said, let go of the branch.” Just trust me. Let go.”
There was a long silence.
Finally Jack yelled, “HELP! HELP! IS ANYONE ELSE UP THERE?” author unknown)
Ever feel like Jack? We want faith until that faith demands a leap out of our comfort zone. Could more faith mean following more closely the footsteps of Jesus – which led him to the ridicule and suffering and death on the cross? Do we really want more faith? We may want more of the faith that will help us out – a faith that might heal ourselves or a loved one, a faith that gives us the assurance of eternal life.
But do we really want a faith that will make us more Christ-like? What is one way you could be more like our Lord? Something that really challenges you. Are you ready to ask in faith? He’s listening