Taking Action

Like I have mentioned in an earlier post, you get Godwinks all the time. Some are really subtle, and some smack you right upside the head. We got a good smack Sunday morning at church when Rev. Lewis preached about the only way to defeat evil is to take action, no talk about doing good things. Since our verse of the week was 1 John 3:18 – “Dear children, do not love with words or speech, but in actions and in truth,” we were pretty sure God had something special in store for us this week.

Now when you come down here, there are ample opportunities to serve and take action. From the time you get up in the morning, you can carry someone’s backpack, help them on the bus, or carry the water jugs. At breakfast, people can serve the food, clean up the tables, or bring drinks. And then once you get to the jobsite, you can paint, roof, fix gardens, or play with the kids. But it is really easy to do those things when you are in another country with a group of Christians. We’ve got a clear connection to God this week. There’s nothing blocking it – facebook, phones, work, friends, family problems. Just us and God.

But we are on our way home. As I’m typing this in Freeport International Airport, I look around and see the groups reading magazines, playing cards, and snacking. The tv is on and I’m hearing about Amy Winehouse’s death, Rupert Murdoch’s problems, and the crazy heatwave. Already the distractions have begun. So we have put a challenge out to all team members (me included) to take action. Last night at the closing service, we announced our action step for when we return. A lot of what was promised last night was to getting more involved in youth group, praying more, sharing the experience with friends and family, going to church.

The Jesus that we all worship didn’t just talk the talk, he walked the walk. He didn’t half –way do it. He went all out for us. So I pray that the promises we made last night don’t become just lip service. As James 2:22 says, “You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.” I know that He will work through this team, and we will be taking action this year.