Faith-Inspired Action!

During today's service, I was struck by the verse in Matthew 21:22, where Jesus said, "If you believe, whatever you ask for in prayer will be granted." It seemed so simple, so matter-of-fact. I thought I may be missing something, but is that ALL he is asking? To believe? Well, I believe plenty!

I felt prompted to continue to dig further. So I went to Hebrews 11 - the faith chapter if ever there was one. What became as plain as day to me was that in all the descriptions of every person listed in that chapter, there was not one person who did not have an action attached to their faith. I realize that there are many more scriptures that talk about the reality of faith through actions (James 2:14-18; 2 Peter 1:3-11). But the question I had for myself after reading through these scriptures, was "What action is my faith leading me to take"?

Why is this important? Sometimes the answer to our prayers lies in the next step, the next bold action. We are sometimes stuck in a season, not because God wants us to remain there but because we are holding back from taking action. As someone who has lived many years holding back from taking action, I can tell you there is no joy there. So I would like to invite you on my journey of faith-led action. Let's explore this in light of the 5 domains of life:

Spiritual Life: Faith in God isn’t just about believing in His existence or acknowledging His goodness. It’s about trusting Him with our whole being and letting that trust move us to deeper obedience. In my own spiritual journey, I realized that when I pray for growth, God often answers through moments of calling me to take steps that challenge my comfort zone. Maybe it's stepping out of a safe, routine prayer time to venture into new practices, like fasting or serving others in ways I hadn't before. When we act on the prompting of the Holy Spirit, we create room for a deeper connection with God. The action isn't just in our words but in how we choose to live out the convictions we hold.

Relationships: Faith often requires action in the way we relate to others. It's easy to say we believe in forgiveness or love, but are we living it out? Are we reaching out to mend relationships, offer grace, or serve those closest to us? Sometimes, faith could lead us to make the first move in reconciliation or offer a word of encouragement even when we don’t feel like it. The prayer may be for restoration, but the action may be in having that uncomfortable conversation, apologizing, or simply being present for someone. Our relationships can become the canvas where the evidence of our faith is clearly painted for others to see.

Career and Purpose: Faith isn't limited to the spiritual or relational areas of life; it extends to how we approach our work and our calling. When I reflect on my own career, I see the places where I was hesitant to step into opportunities because of fear, uncertainty, or a lack of confidence. But I’ve realized that faith often requires me to take bold steps in trusting God with the direction of my career, even when I don’t have all the answers. It may look like a leap of faith to apply for a position that stretches me or to pursue a passion that feels uncertain. Faith in action might mean choosing to pursue work with integrity, even when the world around us takes shortcuts, or simply showing up with a mindset that God is using our talents for His purpose.

Physical and Mental Health: Another domain where action must meet faith is in how we care for ourselves. I used to pray for strength, energy, or healing, yet I found that my faith needed to move me to take action in caring for my body and mind. Faith isn’t just a passive belief but an active trust that God has given us the responsibility to honor the temple He’s provided. Whether it’s making healthier lifestyle choices, seeking counseling when needed, or exercising faith through discipline in habits, our physical and mental health should reflect the belief that God wants us to thrive and not just survive.

Finances and Resources: Finally, our faith in action shows up in how we manage the resources God has entrusted to us. Faith can lead us to give when it doesn’t seem to make sense or to trust God with our finances when fear or scarcity begins to creep in. Perhaps it’s the act of tithing, giving to a cause, or using your resources to bless someone in need. There have been times in my life where God has nudged me to give even when it felt like I couldn’t afford it. But each time, the act of obedience has brought a deeper trust in God's provision. It's about moving from a mindset of scarcity to one of abundance, knowing that God will always supply what we need.

So, What's the Action Your Faith is Leading You Towards?

As I reflect on these areas of my life, I’ve come to realize that the question isn’t whether we have faith, but whether we’re allowing our faith to move us to action. What step of faith is God calling you to take? It could be something small, like having a conversation you’ve been avoiding or making a commitment to healthier living. It could be something bold, like taking a leap into a new career or mending a broken relationship. The key is to ask yourself: How is my faith in God leading me to act right now?

Remember, faith is not just a belief in something we cannot see. It is the confident action we take in the direction of what we believe is true. So take that next step, trust God with it, and watch how He moves in the space where action and faith meet.

Be en-COURAGE-d,

M.