Just Do It!

Just Do It!

Recently, I went to Wal-Mart.  I had a cart full of things so I went into a checkout lane to purchase them.  There was another customer ahead of me and all of her items were on the conveyor belt. The cashier picked up each item, scanned it, and put her items into a bag. By repeating this over and over, it created space on the conveyor belt. When the conveyor belt was half empty, I reached over it to get the gray plastic stick which is used to separate two customer’s items and began putting my items on the conveyor belt. When I did this, no one questioned what I was doing and when all of the items placed before the plastic stick were gone, the cashier hit the total button and completed the transaction for the customer before me. The cashier did not come upon the plastic stick and question what it was there for. She just knew what it meant and behaved accordingly.

That grey plastic stick has authority.  A piece of rectangular shaped, grey plastic has the authority to let the cashier know which items are one customer’s and which ones are another customer’s. In that scenario, all three of us, the customer ahead of me, the cashier and I, obeyed the authority of that grey stick.

That’s when it hit me.  No one questioned the authority of the grey stick, yet we question the authority of the Bible.  We all obeyed the grey stick, yet we fail to obey God’s word.  How wrong is that?

God didn’t offer his words as mere suggestions or nice words to listen to. Ryan shared James 1:22 with us during his sermon.  “Remember, it is a message to obey, not just to listen to. So don’t fool yourselves. For if a person just listens and doesn't obey, he is like a man looking at his face in the mirror; as soon as he walks away, he can’t see himself anymore or remember what he looks like.  But if anyone keeps looking steadily into God’s law for free men, he will not only remember it, but he will do what it says and God will greatly bless him in everything that he does.”  John 14:21 says, “The one who obeys me is the one who loves me; and because he loves me, my Father will love him; and I will too, and I will reveal myself to you.”

Neither verse says that we have to obey but then God is going to leave us high and dry to figure it all out on our own. No! God assures us that when we walk in obedience He will be right beside us, loving us, blessing us, and revealing Himself to us.

At Tuesday’s Truth Project study, Nick asked us to discuss in our groups the things we have changed because the Bible has told us to and what things we still struggle with even though we know what the Bible says. I shared that I wanted to have a blessed marriage so I read what the Bible said about respecting my husband. I’ll admit that I’m not perfect, but I am really trying. I have held my tongue and I have re-framed my words to be encouraging and respectful to build him up instead of using hurtful words to tear him down.

But…

I struggle with wanting to be liked by everyone and I tend to do things that make me popular with people now, rather than waiting for my stored treasures in Heaven.  So, when co-workers are gossiping and making judgments against others, it is really easy to chime in. It’s a popular way for women to bond. But God isn't asking us to do what’s popular. He says, “Do not conform to this world, but instead, be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”  (Romans 12:2) My Bible’s version says, “Do not copy the behavior and customs of this world, but be a new and different person with a fresh newness in all you do and think. Then you will learn from your own experience how his ways will really satisfy you.”

I have learned from my own experience that there really is no “Easy Button” to get it started.  Other than knowing His word, there isn't anything to do to prepare- you just have to do it.  You have to make up your mind that this is what you are going to do, and then just do it.

I used to say that I couldn't run even if my child was on fire and I had a bucket of water.  But, I envied people who could and as a healthy young person, there is no earthly reason why I can’t run. So, I just made up my mind one day that I was going to start. I got on a treadmill and after a brief warm up, I increased the speed until I was running. After a few seconds, my shins were burning, my side hurt, and I was out of breath. I kind of thought I was going to die, but I kept at it for a whole 90 seconds. Then I slowed down and walked for a while and then ran again for another 90 seconds. Now, 3 minutes doesn’t seem like much, but the point is that I did it and when I was done, I felt terrific! I had more energy the next day and I really felt like I accomplished something.

The same is true when you pick something that you struggle with and decide that you are going to obey what the Bible says about it. In the midst of having to do or not do your thing, it’s tough, but once it’s over, you feel like you've accomplished something. The best part is knowing that Christ is right beside you rejoicing at your accomplishment, ready to pour out His blessing.

So, think about the things that you have already overcome with the help of the Holy Spirit living inside you, and then use that as encouragement to overcome whatever it is you still struggle with. Then, make up your mind that that is what you are going to do and just do it!

-Angie Baack