“Stephen, brimming with God’s grace and energy, was doing wonderful things among the people, unmistakable signs that God was among them.”
– Acts 6:8

Charles Blondin was a great French acrobat who became a legend by crossing the entire width of Niagara Falls on a tightrope. He did it pushing a wheelbarrow, another time blindfolded and yet another walking backwards. Blondin’s greatest achievement however, was crossing the falls with another man on his back. As I think about this feat, I know it was difficult for Blondin, but what about the man that was willing to climb on his back for the most unbelievable ride of his life? That man was Blondin’s manager, Harry Colcord. While history doesn’t say a great deal about Colcord, we do know one thing, he had enough faith in the acrobat to put his life in his hands.

In Acts 6, we are introduced to a man called Stephen. He was one of seven men appointed by the apostles to handle the everyday affairs of the church. God had great faith in Stephen and gave him the ability to perform miracles and preach the Word. Stephen was later killed because he refused to turn away from his faith in God. As coaches, many people put their faith in us each day. Administrators, parents, athletes and peers just to mention a few. In his book, Becoming a Person of Influence, John Maxwell gives his readers four facts about faith: (1) Most people don’t have FAITH in themselves; (2) Most people don’t have someone who has FAITH in them; (3) Most people can tell when someone has FAITH in them; and (4) most people will do anything to live up to our FAITH in them. Having faith in others takes more than words or feelings about them. We have to back it up with our actions. Be a believer in the people around you today. They will bloom right in before your eyes.

Heavenly Father, you are a faithful God. You have been with me in the past, are with me in the present and will be with me in the future. Lord, help me to be faithful to those you have called me to serve today. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.