The Bell

Sunday morning worship was about to begin. The usher and the acolyte moved to the foyer preparing for the light of Christ to enter. Their first task though was to ring the bell. The thick rope was tied up out of the reach of small hands.

Untying the rope, he pulled with long, even strokes. The boy asked to help. Placing his small hands with the man's hands over them, they pulled. The bell rang loud and clear in the early morning--calling all to come worship together.

The boy was proud of their accomplishment. Ringing the bell was an adult job. His heart filled with pride as he was able to handle the rope. It seemed so easy. Now, he took the light of Christ in and lights the altar candles. His face and steps were slow and serious. He had been taught well that this was an honor--he carried the reminder that Christ is the light of the world in his hands. The pastor watched him as he went about his duties and was thankful for his simple, child's faith that touched the hearts of those in the service.

Several weeks later, the boy was again preparing to bring the light of Christ into the worship service. The particular service, the man was not there to ring the bell. The boy remembering how easy it had been to pull the bell rope with the man's help said that he could do it on his own. One of the adults reached up to untie the rope and handed it to him.

He wrapped his hands around the rope, getting a secure grip just as the man had showed him. His first pull was tentative. The bell didn't ring. Adjusting his grip to higher on the rope, the boy pulled with all his might. The bell sounded loudly in the air.

As the slack in the rope played out and the bell swung the other direction, the boy prepared to pull again. His grip tightened--and then he found himself floating in the air. The bell rang again. His feet touch the floor and he pulled hard. Up through the air, hanging on to the rope for dear life he flew. Each time he returned to the floor and then the momentum of the bell seemed to take on a life of its own. Up he went . . . down to the floor . . . back into the air. The bell rang loudly and clearly as the boy "rode the rope" up and down.

After a few rounds, the adult usher rushed to help--grabbing the boy by his waist. Eventually, between the two of them--they were able to stop. The adult tying the rope back in place as the flushed faced, excited boy retrieve his candle lighter. For once the light of Christ entered with more of a jaunt in his step--and his eyes twinkling.

He had learned a valuable lesson. Sometimes, we need help. A task that seems so simple and easy can literally sweep us off our feet. Sometimes--two are better than one. There are some tasks in life that we may have the head knowledge of how to accomplish, but we still need the added strength of another.

In other words--even when we feel we can handle a task on our own, we need someone to save us when we find our feet dragged from the floor and the situation out of our control. It is easy to think "hey God, I've got this . . . I don't need you," but we do. Our task sweeps us off our feet. We find ourselves dangling from a rope. We need help.

God is always there, waiting . . . watching patiently for the moment we realize we cannot do this alone. God then reaches out, and places God's hands over ours and balances our lives once again. Oh the ride can be thrilling--for a moment.

1 Corinthians 13:11 reminds us "When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became an adult, I put an end to childish ways." Riding the bell rope might be fun once or twice, but a consistent, daily walk with God brings peace that is beyond all human understanding.

Patient and waiting God thank you for being with us. Help us to learn from you and to put away childish behavior. Teach us to walk with you daily, to learn your ways, and to practice your love. Thank you for being there to catch us when our feet fly off the ground. So be it. Amen.