We can talk about Jesus until we are blue in the face, but at some point we need to get up and walk. Obedience is an action. We can think about being obedient all day long…but what good does that do? We can meditate on what we need to change in our life. We can talk about ways to go about changing it in our Bible studies with friends. But, until we actually take a step, nothing gets done.
In Bob Goff‘s Book titled Love Does, he says, “Living a life fully engaged and full of whimsy and the kind of things that love does is something most people plan to do, but along the way they just kind of forget.” (Introduction, XV)
I would have to agree that when I talk to my Christian friends, they want to be going about doing good in this world. However, other things have crept in. Life gets busy. We are filled to the brim with hobbies & interests, college football games, our kid’s extra-curricular activities, a quick work-out, social media and me time. Of course. It’s the many little things that creep into our lives to keep our eyes off of Him. Could it be possible one of Satan’s best tactics is to keep us busy?
Jesus went about doing good continuously
He had His eyes open for opportunities to serve. One of my favorite stories is found in John 5. You see, there was an invalid who was blind, lame and paralyzed sitting by the pool, waiting for someone to carry him in for a bath. He was an invalid for 38 years (seriously, a really, long time). When Jesus saw him lying there, He approached Him and asked, “Do you want to be healed?” (I love how we serve a very personal and relatable God!) The man answered with an explanation of why it was impossible for him to be healed. I can’t even walk! But then Jesus said to him,
“Get up, take up your bed, and walk.” John 5:8
Do we want to be healed? Then get up and walk. Do we want to be used by God? Then get up and walk. Do we want to see God working? Then get up and walk. Obedience takes a step of faith…and definitely has incredible returns.