Where do the people come from who accomplish great things in our nation, in our world? Where does God find the people to get the hardest jobs done? After spending years of studying history and the lives of hundreds of successful people, I know the answer - God uses ordinary people just like you and me to accomplish these tasks, and He give us the power to do it.

Look at some of the people in the Bible. Moses didn't want to be the one to talk with the Pharaoh - he said that he had a speech impediment- but God sent him anyway. And with God's Help, the mighty Pharaoh didn't have any trouble understanding what Moses had to say.

Look at King David. When the prophet Samuel searched the land looking for the next king of Israel, he came to Jesse's house and asked to see all of his sons. But Jesse left David out. Clearly his own father didn't think that David was king material. It wasn't until Samuel asked, "Are these all of the sons you have", that Jesse told him about David. Jesse, David's own father, didn't see David's potential to do great things - but God did.

Even Jesus Himself didn't pick the most gifted and educated men to be His disciples. In fact, He picked men who were so ordinary that later when two of His disciples, Peter and John, talked to the religious council, they were literally amazed at just how boldly and powerfully they spoke.

But why does God use ordinary people when there are so many gifted and extraordinary people to choose from? I believe its because many times God has a hard time using people who are too full of themselves - and they don't leave any room for Him. And people who spend their lives attempting to do things in their own power truly miss an opportunity to do even greater things - with God's Help.

And what must we do if we want to accomplish anything? We must act - not just try - but act.

The story is told of a great circus performer who determined to walk across Niagara Falls on nothing but a tightrope. It was a windy day, certainly not the kind of day to attempt such a dangerous stunt.

As the crowd gathered, the man asked, "Is there anyone here who believes that I can do this?" The crowd was silent. He asked again, "Is there anyone here who believes I have the ability to travel on this tiny wire across these great falls?" There wasn't a sound, and then one man stepped forward who was pushing a wheelbarrow. He said, "Yes, I believe that you can do it. And I believe that you can push this wheelbarrow across with you."

The performer focused on this man as he walked toward him and his wheelbarrow. "You truly believe this?" The man was emphatic, "Yes."

"Then I am ready", the performer said, "I will push this wheelbarrow across Niagara Falls - and you will go with me - get in the wheelbarrow!"

So today, if you are determined to accomplish great things - if you have determined to rise above what others think you can do - if you are prepared to face the adversities and failures that you will surely encounter along the way - the get in the wheelbarrow - God is ready to push you across.  

Jerry Stewart