Faith In Action
It’s one thing to say you believe something; it’s another actually to do something about it. Faith in action is stepping out onto a road no one else sees. I think it’s almost easy to act when the things I know or want are right in front of me. But, when the result I’m reaching for is hidden, I find it much more difficult to act. My faith is always a work in progress. Usually, it starts with a nudge, then a whisper, and then a call. If I’m a good listener, I get started the moment I figure out the move. That’s if I’m a good listener. When I am nervous about stepping out on faith, it sometimes takes a whole lot of commotion before I realized I’d better jump.
Hidden In My Heart
I have hidden thy word in my heart that I might not sin against thee. I have no recollection of when I memorized this verse. In fact, most of the verses I’ve memorized I have little to no recollection of when I memorized them. That “when” doesn’t matter, though. It’s the now that matters. Because now, when I am struggling with which direction God is leading me, verses pop into my head. Most importantly, when I am struggling with my faith or fear, words of comfort burst into my conscious level and show me the way to go.
What’s The Point?
So why did I say all this? Actually, it’s because of today’s verses. I don’t remember when I learned them, but I do remember when my son did. He was four, at Vacation Bible School. We taught the children the verses in a song. I’ll never forget it because I’d told my boy not to do something. I have no clue what it was now, but it was something I’d told him many times, and it was a big deal to me. Well, he did whatever it was. It probably accompanied a large crash because my memory starts with me leaping up from where I was in the living room and making enormous, angry strides toward the kids’ bedroom. He was walking toward me down the hall with a look of terror on his face. I’m pretty sure you can imagine what mine looked like. He stopped stock-still and started singing, “Love is patient, love is kind…”
The Sword Of The Spirit
I get why the bible is called the sword of the spirit because, at that moment, it cut me up. I couldn’t take a step further. The word sliced through my anger and made me roar with laughter instead. I don’t remember what happened afterward. But the lesson I learned that day is branded into my psyche. The word of the Lord is a powerful help in times of trouble.
40-Day Challenge: Day 26 Reading
1 Corinthians 13:4-8 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.