Believing and Doing

Can I tell you something? Let you into my world a little? Thanks for saying yes.

I have been somewhat frustrated as of lately. Unappeased. Vexed, if you would. Why? Could it be something at work that's bothering me? No, not really. I mean, there are things I don't enjoy about my job but those are not the source of my frustration. School troubles, perhaps? Besides procrastinating too much on my reading, school is going fine. Lady troubles then? Um, ...no.

I have been kind of frustrated spiritually lately. Really, I don't know how to explain it. I'm not frustrated with God or anything like that. I guess it may be more of being frustrated with myself or how my relationship is going with Him.

I know first hand that relationships are only as deep as the amount of time you invest in them. I have been reading my Bible more lately than I have in awhile. I have been praying more than I have in awhile.

I have been going to church, not that I believe church attendance has anything to do with spiritual growth. I mean, it can foster growth but it is not essential.

I know I don't feel challenged that much at church lately. Sometimes I get bored with the same messages over and over. How to Step Out in Faith. How to Put Others First. And so on. I mean, I have been hearing these things all of my life. I guess sometimes I think of the sermons at church as selfish, meaning that they are only telling me how "I" can become a better Christian. I am tired of living a faith that is just about how to better myself.

Sometimes my mind starts to wander while I am setting in church and I think, "There are children being recruited by rebel groups to kill in Africa and there are people alone on the streets in my very own city. What am I doing here listening to a message about How to Encourage Others when I should be out there right now trying to make a difference for God?"

It's very easy and comfortable to have a faith that just requires you to sit in a pew or chair at church. It's more challenging to get up and do something.

But that's the kind of faith I want to have. One that involves action. A kind of faith that makes a difference in the world. A kind of faith that reaches people and lifts them up. Not a passive faith that requires little effort on my part. I want an active faith that challenges me to actually do the things that Jesus would have me to do.