My Word of the Year

“Show me your faith without deeds and I will show you my faith by what I do.”
~James 1:22

I am an absolute pro at good intentions. I think of SO many really nice things to do for others, and then…well more often than not, I don’t do them.

I might think:

It’s been a rough week for her family, I should bring her a coffee this morning.
Their family just got out of the hospital, I bet they could use a hot meal.
What if our family made goodie bags for new placement foster kids?

I’ve even gone so far as making cookies for a friend with Covid, and then talking myself out of actually delivering them.  It’s like I have these lovely, noble intentions and value the idea, but then I think of 20 reasons why I shouldn’t. Do you ever talk yourself out of taking action?

Oh, I bet she already has a poinsettia (or maybe doesn’t like red?)
I don’t think they eat sugar.
Would they be offended if I went to the door during a pandemic?
I have so much to do and it’s kind of a long ways to drive to their house.
What if one of her kids is allergic to peanut butter?
I bet they are out of town right now and if I left that on the porch a neighbor dog might eat it.

I wish I was joking, but I have actually had all of those thoughts.

Unfortunately, my good intentions do not bless anyone.  They don’t practically help, encourage, or support a soul!

This summer I repeatedly felt the Holy Spirit directing me to scripture about the importance of being a doer, not just a hearer or believer. 

What good is it, brothers and sisters if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. (James 2:14-17)

And I realized that I want to be an action taker…and not just in tangible ways that bless others, but also in areas that I’ve known I needed to move forward in for years but have resisted because they make me uncomfortable and unsure…or maybe because I couldn’t see the end of the path.

I’m learning that when I move into my discomfort, that’s where the magic is.

So my word for this year is Action.

What is yours?