Answering the Call, Part II

Now someone may argue, "Some people have faith; others have good deeds." But I say, "How can you show me your faith if you don't have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds" (James 2:18, NLT).

I tend to wake up early, even on off days. For the most part, it’s not a bad thing because my body has adapted to a consistent routine. However, when I woke up at 4:00am on a Saturday morning, I knew something was different. When the Holy Spirit calls, I always want to be willing to answer. 

The night before this happened, a friend helped me launch the process of rebranding my website. When I created my original site in 2017, I called it The Narrow Path, which is still the title of my blog. However, because of God’s goodness, grace, and guidance, I’ve been given growth opportunities that I never would have imagined.

I continue to write devotions regularly, but since 2017, I have written a book called The Healing Path, and have stepped into a space of speaking and sharing my Jesus story. It hasn’t always been easy, but answering the call to step out onto new paths has been such a blessing.

When we ask the Holy Spirit to guide us, we must be prepared for how the Lord is going to answer. Sometimes He wakes us in the early morning hours. Other times, it’s through words from a friend. Maybe it's a nudging to step into something you aren’t sure about, and trusting the Lord to guide you.

As I’ve walked with the Lord over the last number of years, I feel like my heart has continually grown in my knowledge and understanding of the character of God. And that, more than anything else, has guided my ability to answer the call of Jesus. 

When he called me to decrease my work hours to make space for writing, I answered.

When he called me to put myself out there for opportunities to share my story, I answered.

When he called me to connect with a freelance editor that led to publishing my book, I answered.

Don’t get me wrong–I do not always answer right away, and sometimes I respond in the wrong way initially. But James 2:14-18 reminds us that sometimes faith is simply choosing to do something: What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don't show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, "Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well"—but then you don't give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do? So you see, faith by itself isn't enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless. Now someone may argue, "Some people have faith; others have good deeds." But I say, "How can you show me your faith if you don't have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds."

A challenge for this week: Can we be intentional to have eyes to see, ears to hear, and a heart that is open to listening for the call of Jesus?

It may be something as simple as approaching a stranger to compliment their outfit, or it may be something as significant as stepping away from your full-time job to pursue something an opportunity the Lord has put in front of you. When we are reminded that our faith is visible through our works, we can find courage to follow the Lord down the narrow path, and that always leads to life. Don’t be afraid to answer the call today.