Balancing Acts of Faith
Dear Friends and Family of HBC,
Recently I had two completely unrelated and separate conversations that brought me both pride and joy. I share these so that you may (in the words of the Apostle Paul) “Rejoice with those who rejoice”. I have changed the names of those involved so no one is embarrassed.
The first occurred while I was visiting with someone. Another HBC member, who I’ll simply call ‘Jill’ happened to stop by while I was there. Soon we began talking about church and Jill shared that she had a neighbor who was looking for a church. Jill told her neighbor “Why don’t you come to mine?” Jill then gave her neighbor a recent HBC Banner and shared our website address for her neighbor to preview our services.
When Jill shared this story with me, I wanted to shout “Yes! Way to go Jill!” Jill took the initiative to invite her neighbor to our church and gave her tangible ways to become familiar with us. Studies show many people will visit a church because someone they know invited them to come. For those of you who keep asking “How can we get more people in our church?” take this lesson from Jill – invite someone you know and make it easy for them to walk through our doors!
The second incident that brought me much pride and joy occurred in my office. Someone who I’ll call ‘Jack’ stopped in and we had a pleasant and simple conversation. This conversation eventually turned to our mutual concerns and frustrations with world events.
I sarcastically made the comment “You know, if people would just listen to me, I know how to solve most of the world’s problems!” (And just to be sure no one imagines I have an inflated ego, I don’t actually think or believe I can solve the all the world’s problems. However, I do have some really good suggestions).
In response to my comment Jack said “I learned a long time ago that people should pray for what they need and not for what they want. If they did it would solve a lot of problems”. Wow Jack, there is much wisdom and depth in those thirty words. It made me happy that Jack shared this insight with me and proud that he had obviously given prayer some serious consideration in his own life.
I mentioned earlier these incidents were completely unrelated, but as I reflect on them now I do see a common thread – how our faith should be lived. In the first incident, there was a stepping out in faith, it was an outward act. Our faith should not be something we keep to ourselves. It should be, and is meant to be, shared.
And yet faith must also be inwardly cultivated which I was reminded of in the second conversation. Faith must be something we work on in our souls taking time to reflect, ask questions, pray and (of course) be still.
Our faith cannot be only one or other, it should be a dance where both outward acts and inward acts are moving together. Sometimes one may take the lead for the other but they are always in motion, dancing as one to the same song.
I suspect, as we learn how to dance balancing outward and inward acts of faith, it makes God happy and proud. I know the feeling.
Be Still,
Dan
Categories: Pastors Message