Call to Action

Our Father is a God of action.  From the very beginning of time, he spoke then he created. God created the first man and woman for action.  That desire was passed on to us through every human since then. He never intended for us to be sedentary or to just think our way through life. He hard-wired into our DNA the need for action.

How do you explain the explosion in extreme sports and theme parks over the last decade?  What about the keen interest in action movies like the Fast & Furious movie franchises and the action gaming industry?  We crave action, we dream about action, and when we become bored we create action.

Why then, when it comes to following God’s plan for our life, we are so slow to act? It’s as if it’s too much for us to move when he asks. Is it our fear or our prideful hearts?  Have you ever asked yourself why this is the case?

It started at the very beginning.  When Eve took and ate of the fruit from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, Adam stood and watched.  He took no action, he froze, he went passive. Then God stepped in and he was required to take the most difficult action in young humanity’s life.  He had to remove us from his perfect creation, and ever since that day we have tried to remove our action back toward him from our daily existence.

Thankfully the story does not end there.  God showed why he is a God of action and his most beautiful action is an act of love.  He promises to send a way for us to become cured from our inaction. He sends love in the form of Jesus. He moved toward us by giving himself over to our inaction in order that we may be able to move back toward him. He took the first step.  Paul describes God’s action perfectly, “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”  While we did not deserve any other action than God’s righteous judgement against Adam’s passed on passivity in our lives, the ultimate action was taken by him. He came that we may live.  He restored our ability to act as we were meant to once again. With him, we are not alone any longer.

What action could you take first?  Could you start by talking with your Father in prayer, or ask your Father what action he wants you to take, or how about the act of sitting and listening to his incredible voice of truth and love?  What can you do today to take action to move closer to your Father?

Maybe the first action you need to take is to turn to Jesus right now and ask him into your life by praying this simple prayer:

Jesus, I believe you are the Son of God, that you died on the cross to rescue me from sin and death and to restore me to the Father. I choose now to turn from my sins, my self-centeredness, and every part of my life that does not please you. I choose you. I give myself to you. I receive your forgiveness and ask you to take your rightful place in my life as my Savior and Lord. Come reign in my heart, fill me with your love and your life, and help me to become a person who is truly loving—a person like you. Restore me, Jesus. Live in me. Love through me. Thank you, God. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.