I-do-it-later Kind of Faith
How do you respond to your computer’s update requests? Do you delay them? An hour? Until tomorrow? Next week? I keep doing it. Pushing the inevitable to a later date. Then I got thinking, do we do that to our faith too? Do we delay the needed conversion or updating of our faith? Has your faith become an I-do-it-later kind of faith? Do you delay going to God until you have got your act together or when you have more time?
But do you know what? You don’t have to get your act together before you can go to God. God loves you just as you are and welcomes you as ragged as you are. When you believe in Jesus, God makes you whole.
I-do-it-later kind of faith also delays taking care of one’s faith until you have time to do so. But guess what? Time flies. Hours, days, years go by and you do never have time if you let time pass by. On the other hand, you always have time to do things you value. So if you value Jesus, you can find time for him. And nothing else blesses you as much as the time spent with Jesus.
I-do-it-later Kind of Faith
I-do-it-later kind of faith is based on the assumption that faith depends on you. But it doesn’t. Faith is grace from start to finish. Actually, trying to manage on our own leads us farther away from God. None of us can make ourselves right with God on our own.
When you give up an I-do-it-later kind of faith and start living out faith and grace in your everyday life, you soon see the effects of it. When you are a forgiven child of God, your steps are light. And when you let Jesus be the number one in your life, the rest of things will also find their places. Not that there wouldn’t be any difficulties anymore. But now you’re not alone anymore, God will help, guide, and bless you.
But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Matthew 6:33, NRSV)
I-do-it-later kind of faith tries to get hold of us again and again. But let’s not give in or give up. Let’s stick to Jesus and the promises of God. We don’t have to live alone or try to manage everything on our own. God is always with us he offers the power of his grace for our use. Let’s receive it, be filled with his love and grace. Then we can stop keeping God away and instead believe and boldly live out our faith here and now (and not on a later date).
Dear God,
Thanks for providing everything for our salvation and for living out our faith here and now.
Forgive us for delaying our response to you.
We live all our excuses and doubts at the foot of your cross.
Fill us with your love and grace.
Thank you for always being with us and giving our lives purpose.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
Q4U: Have you put your faith in the category of I-do-it-later? Do you keep on delaying your response to God? Why/why not?
Be blessed, my fellow pilgrim, as you embrace God daily!
Photo by Alexander Schimmeck on Unsplash.