Faith is an Action
As I read another part of the Book I am convicted of the many times I have procastinated or ignored an inner desire to do or start something. Most of us like to wait for perfect conditions before we progress with ideas.
Ten lepers, standing at a distance approached Jesus and called out ‘Jesus, master have mercy on us’. Jesus replied ‘ Go, show yourselves to the high priest’. ‘As they went‘, things happened.
Few things to learn from this story:
Shame-Leprosy is contagious hence they stood at a distance. Some of our conditions though not visible like leprosy does make us stand aloft. Some of these could be rejection, fear, anxiety, depression, past failures. Some of these are products of shame.
Asking for help -They recognised their condition and asked for help. This is where some have boldly taken the bull by the horn and gone in search of solution. This could be available in numerous ways, doctors, referrals to counsellors, psychtherapists, coaches, adopting a mentor etc. Asking for help is sometimes the most difficult thing to do but needs to be done in order to have that life changing experience.
Do something – Jesus told them to show themselves to the priest. ‘This doesn’t make sense, he knows we are not allowed to do that by law’ they must have reasoned but proceeded. We rationalise a lot today if instructions fail to meet our standards. They were going against the grain by obeying Jesus but He knows best and a principle is being displayed here. Faith is an action.
Positive Results – They obeyed the instruction and went. ‘As they went, they were healed’. Great things happen when we act on information or leadings and do not rationalise ourselves out of it. Taking action and at the right time is key to success. Miracles happened as ‘they went’. Luke 17:12-17
Abnormal action – The action they took was not normal. They needed to go through some rituals before pressenting themselves to the priest according the stated law but as the High Priest (Jesus) ordered, they obeyed. They acted in faith not waiting to see diminishing symptoms. Acting in faith most times doesn’t make sense to the normal mind.
Thanksgiving was also an important lesson from the story. Out of the ten healed , one returned to give thanks. ‘Where are the remaining’ asked Jesus. By returning to give thanks, he did not only get physical healing, he got spiritual healing too when Jesus declared, ‘Your faith has made you whole’. Whole in body, whole in spirit.
In conclusion, taking action to see results is important although it may be partial to start with. Have you started a business and wondered when the money will start rolling in. Never give up your dreams, take those small steps and see the full picture unfold.
Those ideas and hunches you shelved, why don’t you revisit them today,it may have have been God-ordained but you are too scared to actualise it. Someone greater thn you is waiting to help.
Your view on the leprosy story is uplifting to me. It reminds me to walk in faith and always be grateful to God. It must have been difficult to be cast out to an island because of a physical condition. It would be considered an abuse during this day and age.
Thank you for the reminder.
Yes so true, it would be considered an abuse today.
I’m glad you were blessed by the story and it’s lessons
Hey hey! Great article. I absolutely love your detailed reflection on this short piece and how you’re relating it to your personal life. Especially this part really stuck with me…
“Great things happen when we act on information or leadings and do not rationalise ourselves out of it.”
Most of us definitely overthink things and fail to take action. Well, I guess we’re all guilty of it. Anyway, keep up the great work, I found this very inspiring!
Hi Martin
I’m glad I inspired you.
Thanks
So glad I came across this article! I’m quite familiar with what it’s like to procrastinate on things…especially with starting my own business. I seriously had to take a vacation to clear my mind and really reflect on how I wanted to go about things; I had let myself become too overwhelmed and distracted by my worries and fears on just getting started. Sometimes that can be the hardest part, is getting started…but once you do and just convince yourself to keep going, it does become easier after a while.
So glad I came across this article! I’m quite familiar with what it’s like to procrastinate on things…especially with starting my own business. I seriously had to take a vacation to clear my mind and really reflect on how I wanted to go about things; I had let myself become too overwhelmed and distracted by my worries and fears on just getting started. Sometimes that can be the hardest part, is getting started…but once you do and just convince yourself to keep going, it does become easier after a while.
Hi Ashlee
Yes you are right, distraction and fears can slow us down and we loose focus.
I’m glad you’ve been able to make adjustments.
Thanks for your comment.
It is so good when we connect with the Creator of the universe. Having a relationship with God is so great because more than ever before we need to have that connection, They way we connect with God is by our faith through prayer and His word. God speaks to us in so many ways, the thing is that afterwe pray we ought to wait God will speak. Jesus Christ is the hope for the world and by receiving Him into our hearts we will be save. The world needs a website like this to bring them to that knowledge. Thanks again for sharing, all the best to you and may God bless you.
Thank you so much for visiting and leaving your comment.
The world needs to know we have problems because we are disconnected from our Creator.
Believe in Jesus Christ is our divine connection.
Kav
Inspiring article. You can take so much from this story, procrastination, past failures, depression are all crippling feelings that stop us fromm taking any steps of change. I have learned that in !y own life and am still learning, its great to have some reassurance and learn so many are going through the same difficulties.
I think the key is tenacity and perseverance dispute the difficulties.
l strongly agree with you.
Thanks for your contribution.
Very true about taking action and not procrastinate. However one of the biggest disadvantages nowadays is the distraction everywhere and all the available infoрmation so one is easily distracted from what he or she likes doing. For example I like a lot of things and at some point I want to do something and in the next moment I want to focus on something different. Like I have a lot of interests. Maybe mediation would help in this case. What do you think?
You are right about the distraction we face these days.
I can’t understand how mediation can help.
Thanks for commenting.