On a recent visit home to the United States, I got my first taste of D-BOX—motion theater seats that pitch you forward and backward, side to side, and up and down in sync with the action depicted on the screen.
I found the experience remarkably similar to driving in Uganda, where I dodge chickens, goats, cattle, boda-bodas, matatus, and pedestrians—all while going up, down, and around crater-sized potholes and other obstacles. So while D-BOX was fun, I wonder why I paid for an experience that I get for free on a daily basis!
I’ve found that following Jesus leads me into the thrills of real-life adventure too. Though far more challenging than a D-BOX experience, walking with Him brings challenges and thrills that exceed any simulated ride.
While Jesus doesn’t call everyone to the challenging roads of Africa, He does call each of us to move. “Get up and prepare for action,” the Lord instructed His people in Jeremiah 1:17. “Put into action the generosity that comes from your faith as you understand and experience all the good things we have in Christ,” Paul urged in Philemon 1:6. For when our faith and actions work together, our actions make our “faith complete” (James 2:22).
Before launching out, however, remember that to accomplish even more than we could hope for, our first action should be to offer ourselves to Jesus and to the people we’re called to serve (2 Corinthians 8:5).
It’s true. Our actions reveal God working in and through us, and they bring His hope to others (1 John 3:18-19). Let’s show that we belong to the truth, and to God, by following His action-oriented commands (1 John 3:11,23-24).
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: John 13:21-38
More:
Read Deuteronomy 11:8 and see how obeying God’s commands is an important step in preparing for the actions He wants you to take.
Next:
How would you describe someone living an adventurous life for Jesus? What actions will you take for Him this week?
Wayne on September 13, 2013 at 7:08 am
Do your actions match your faith ?
Help us Jesus to do your will !
Through Jesus, Wayne
tom felten on September 13, 2013 at 9:30 am
Roxanne, it’s beautiful to see how you have modeled what it means to follow God—living out an active faith that is helping families in Uganda. Your love for God has flowed into love in action to others!
roxanne robbins on September 13, 2013 at 10:07 am
Tom, Long before I moved to Uganda, one of my sisters used to travel to East Africa frequently for medical missions. She loved it but politely said I would be miserable there and would find the conditions too difficult. Neither of us would have predicted I’d visit the continent, let alone move to Uganda. I appreciate what you wrote but in looking at all that’s transpired, I believe it’s more God’s love for me – rather than my love for Him – that gave me the privilege of joining Him in places I would have previously feared to walk.
tom felten on September 13, 2013 at 10:51 am
Amen, press on in that love, Roxanne!
mike wittmer on September 14, 2013 at 9:15 am
Thank you for your godly, self-giving example. Your life challenges me to remember what is most important, and to make sure I organize my day accordingly.