17 In the same way, faith by itself—that does nothing—is dead.
18 Someone might say, “You have faith, but I have deeds.” Show me your faith without doing anything, and I will show you my faith by what I do.
James 2:17-18 (NCV)
Early in my career I found myself sitting at a table with a man that was a leader in my industry. His company was very successful on all levels. As I sat there, I was hanging onto every word he said searching for that golden nugget of wisdom that would propel me to the top of my game. I was straining to find something to say to this man that would grab his attention and make a lasting impression. When I finally thought I saw my chance I said, “I am thinking about doing this and this and this for my next marketing campaign.” He looked me straight in the eye and said, “Then do it” and immediately went back to engaging the rest of our table in conversation. I was stunned into silence for the rest of the evening and to this day have not forgotten the profound advice he had given me.
So many times, we sit on the sidelines of life and watch as spectators. While others seem to be moving and doing the things we have said we want to be doing. Many times, individuals have come to me and said one of the following:
– “I want to evangelize more.”
– “I wish I knew the Bible like Brother or Sister so and so.”
– “I was thinking about going and telling a certain person about Jesus.”
– “I think it would be a good idea for our church to start a nursing home ministry or some other endeavor.”
Well what are you waiting for? God did not put that on your heart to watch another person walk it out. He put that on your heart for you to walk out!
Step out and evangelize, dedicate more time to study of the Bible, Go tell that certain person about Jesus, or find a nursing home that needs a ministry team to come in and share the love of Christ. Maybe take your team in there once a week, even if in the beginning you are the team.
I once heard a pastor speak about a conversation he had with one of his church members. It went like this, “Pastor I want to learn to play the piano.” The Pastor responded “Are you taking lessons and practicing every day?” The church member stumbled out an answer “Well…no I really don’t have time to do that.” The Pastor responded, “Then no, you do not want to learn how to play the piano”.
What the Pastor was saying to the parishioner was that the evidence of your desire is in the pursuit. If you really want something, you pursue it. You find a way, you make the time, and you pay the price.
“the evidence of your desire is in the pursuit”
What is on your heart to DO for the kingdom of God? Then step out and do it! ACT NOW! You may be wondering, “Did I ever step out and do the ideas I had mentioned to the man that night?” I took action on a some but not others. I had success and some of them failed miserably. That might not sound very encouraging, but I learned what worked and what did not; without trying, I would never have known what the results would be.
If you do not put action to your faith, you will never know and you will never grow. A step of faith can be as big as moving to another country to be a missionary or as seemingly small as walking up to the front of the sanctuary during praise and worship. It seems to me that our Father has a way of getting us out of our comfort zone; when we respond to that and take some action we grow a little more every time!
Whatever our Father has placed in your heart to do, take a step toward it today!
Pray This…
Father, give me boldness to step out and do those things you have placed in me to do. Let faith rise up in me and let fear be cast aside. IN JESUS NAME! AMEN!
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