Monday, January 5, 2015

Faith in Action(s)....

"Signs Following

The last two words of Mark's gospel are "signs following."

We wish it said "signs preceding." We want God to go first. That way we don't need to exercise any faith at all. But we've got it backward.

If we want to see God move, we need to make a move. If it seems like God isn't moving in our lives, maybe it's because we aren't moving. But if we make a move, God will move heaven and earth to honor our faith.

There comes a moment when we need to make a statement of faith. I'm not talking about a collection of theological truths written on paper; I'm talking about a statement of faith written with our lives. Faith is not a noun; it's a verb — an action verb.

The greatest and truest statement of faith is a life well lived. It is faith fleshed out through risks and sacrifices. It is daring to go after a dream that is destined to fail without divine intervention.

We can pray until our knees are numb, but if our praying isn't accompanied by acting, then we won't get anywhere. We need to put feet to our faith. After kneeling down, we need to stand up and step out in faith.

There is an old adage: the journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step. Based on my experience, that first step is always the hardest and longest step. It will require the most faith. It will feel the most awkward.

But if we step out in faith, signs will follow. In fact, an avalanche of blessing will overtake us and overwhelm us.

We'll be buried in God's blessings."

No comments: