But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.
~James 1:22-25
My pastor often says that you can’t follow someone without taking steps to go after them—moving in the direction they’re moving. This is especially true regarding Jesus. As followers of Christ, we must be walking after Him. Reading His Word—and acting on it. Doing whatever He says to do (John 2:5). Walking and working out our salvation (Philippians 2:12-13) through action…action that is in response to our salvation, not to earn it (Ephesians 2:8-10).
When it comes to doing for the Lord (serving), whether within the church itself or for a local church ministry, I’ve heard from so many Christians something to the effect of, “Oh, I’m praying about where to serve.” Then (in a French accent, per SpongeBob SquarePants), “three years later”. OK, so maybe not three years, but three months or even a year later, the response from this same person is, “Well, I’m just not sure where the Lord wants me.”
Sound vaguely familiar? Don’t get me wrong, it’s very good thing to wait on the Lord for things and pray fervently for guidance, wisdom, discernment…but nine times out of 10, the bush outside our window won’t be on fire (no matter how long you stare at it). And your dry fleece won’t be wet or your wet one dry.
Oh beloved, when it comes to taking godly action, especially in serving the Lord, just move! If it is aligned with God’s Word—and serving His family or a Christ-following ministry usually is—then start doing something! You can base it on your specific God-given gifts (see one of the many spiritual gift surveys), what seems like it would be a “good fit” for you, or just on what needs to be done. The Holy Spirit will steer you once you start moving. In fact, when we’re serving according to our gift(s) and where the Lord truly wants us, we’ll experience incredible joy and energy in the action. (Can I get a witness?) This reminds me of another thing my pastor is fond of repeating: When it comes to following the Lord, we “pray, guess, and go”. Does it align with God’s Word—i.e., is not sinful? Then go for it! When you stand before the Lord someday, He’s not going to look at you disdainfully, shaking His head, and say, “You know, you really shouldn’t have served in Kids Ministry that year at your church—it’s not what I had for you.”
When I brought up this “just do something” idea at Bible study recently, my sweet mat-carrying sister tied up this concept with a mic-drop comment: “A ship can’t be steered unless it’s moving.” (This got me burrowing down a rabbit hole of marine engineering, into “sway velocity” and “surge velocity” and “rudder force”—but I’ll spare you all this.) But, yes, like a large boat, we’ve got to start going in a godly direction. Then our sweet Navigator will guide us where He wants us—for His glory and our good (Romans 8:28-30).
Lord, You give us wisdom when we ask (James 1:5-6). But also, please give me the courage to move—to do, to say, to go—in faith and in alignment with Your Word.
encouraged by grace 