When you think of the Bible, what comes to mind? For some, “book”, “rules”, “old”, “documents”, and even “boring.” For others, “knowledge”, “wisdom”, “virtues”, “Jesus”, and “God.” A lot of nouns and adjectives. Stating what it is, and how you may feel about it. But none of those words really has meaning until an action is taken. A verb.
“Giving”, “loving”, “sacrificing”, doing what it the Bible speaks of instead of just reading them on a page and memorizing what they speak of. Taking action is ultimately the aim of the Bible if were honest with ourselves. No one ever felt closer to God by simply memorizing sentences in a perfunctory manner. This is what I like to call, “Verbing.”
I don’t say this as someone who has always kept it. Like any follower of God, my walk has been marred with indecision, fear, trepidation, and even cowardice. I wondered why my faith seemed to be growing further away from me even though I attend church regularly, pray at meals, and did all of the “normal” activities that Christians do. Until one day about a month ago I got so frustrated with God that I just almost angrily prayed “Why aren’t you working in my life?!” The answer hit me like a 20 pound sledge. I wasn’t taking action. When God called on me to lead, I dismissed it as a wild impossibility. I have no experience leading! I don’t know even where to begin! What if I screw up! But all these were merely excuses to table the issue indefinitely. In-action had stagnated my spiritual growth.
So what happens now?
I took a step out on faith and decided that even if it meant falling on my face, screwing up over and over, getting my feelings/pride hurt, I was going to walk the path I knew God had called me to walk. It’s a different path for all of us, some aren’t called to lead, some are called to work behind the scenes and move in other ways. But I knew that this was what God called me to. So I started a small Bible study group with close friends and my wife. I was frank about the issue, “I have no clue what were going to do but this is what God says I need to do, so I’m taking it on faith that he’ll guide us.”
The excitement and fear of what happens next is spurring me on. I haven’t had a long term plan, but I don’t need one. Even when I think I wont be able to handle this responsibility, God continues to strengthen me and provides wisdom to accomplish this task. Every week is a step of faith, and every week I feel more alive than ever before.
So what has God called you to do? No task is too minor, no mountain is too great.
“And he said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you.
“Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
-Luke 12:22-34 ESV
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