Faith AND Action
If you have spent much time at all in a community of faith, you have probably heard something, sometime about faith and action. This is another one of those times. In the second chapter of James, we are told very explicitly that "faith by itself, if not accompanied by action, is dead." Jesus often explained to his followers the connection of faith and action, especially in the case of new believers making a change, coming forward, asking for healing, doing something different.
We are creatures of habit. It is very easy to get into routines that can last even decades. If they are good habits, then great. But more often the word "bad" seems to be associated with habits. This can be tragic when we let empty or bad habits define our faith. They may technically be actions, but if they don't move us in our faith, they really are not doing us any good.
Last Sunday we celebrated two groups that took some action. One group, our newly confirmed class of congregation members, have just spent months doing something. They have been learning about and trying out new ways to experience their faith. As they spoke their vows, it marked not an end, but a beginning. This group of young people has changed our congregation as they have changed their own understanding of faith.
The other group was our 50-year members. They have literally been a part of this congregation from the beginning. When the groundbreaking for our first building took place, we changed the community of Woodway. These people could have comfortably stayed where they were. But that was not where they were called to stay.
There are times when our faith may wear thin and we struggle with the meaning behind it all. Following through with the actions of our faith can help us through those times. There are times when our actions don't seem to make a difference and we feel like we are wasting our time. Focusing back on our faith, the reason that drives our actions can help us power through when we are not seeing or feeling results.
Being in a community of faith helps with both faith and action. Choose to connect and spend time with people that can help you focus on each of these things. When I feel like my faith is lagging, I have friends that can boost me with a new focus for my thoughts or my action. When I feel like my actions aren't doing enough, I can always find someone that shows me how they are finding connection.
Though faith and actions ultimately come down to the choices we make as individuals, experiencing both in community is how Jesus showed us that it works best. We've got plenty of ways to connect to both faith and action here at Woodway FUMC. Make a commitment to yourself TODAY to more closely follow Christ and to help others to more closely follow Him as well.
Be Blessed!
Michael
We are creatures of habit. It is very easy to get into routines that can last even decades. If they are good habits, then great. But more often the word "bad" seems to be associated with habits. This can be tragic when we let empty or bad habits define our faith. They may technically be actions, but if they don't move us in our faith, they really are not doing us any good.
Last Sunday we celebrated two groups that took some action. One group, our newly confirmed class of congregation members, have just spent months doing something. They have been learning about and trying out new ways to experience their faith. As they spoke their vows, it marked not an end, but a beginning. This group of young people has changed our congregation as they have changed their own understanding of faith.
The other group was our 50-year members. They have literally been a part of this congregation from the beginning. When the groundbreaking for our first building took place, we changed the community of Woodway. These people could have comfortably stayed where they were. But that was not where they were called to stay.
There are times when our faith may wear thin and we struggle with the meaning behind it all. Following through with the actions of our faith can help us through those times. There are times when our actions don't seem to make a difference and we feel like we are wasting our time. Focusing back on our faith, the reason that drives our actions can help us power through when we are not seeing or feeling results.
Being in a community of faith helps with both faith and action. Choose to connect and spend time with people that can help you focus on each of these things. When I feel like my faith is lagging, I have friends that can boost me with a new focus for my thoughts or my action. When I feel like my actions aren't doing enough, I can always find someone that shows me how they are finding connection.
Though faith and actions ultimately come down to the choices we make as individuals, experiencing both in community is how Jesus showed us that it works best. We've got plenty of ways to connect to both faith and action here at Woodway FUMC. Make a commitment to yourself TODAY to more closely follow Christ and to help others to more closely follow Him as well.
Be Blessed!
Michael
posted by McHonza at 7:51 AM
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