The question of where faith and action intersect is one that continues to be one of life’s greatest challenges for many. It is a question that I am sure is as old as life itself. Where does the line of personal action and faith in God intersect?
We know that without faith, we are left with an unfulfilled, restless spirit. But, we also know that our faith will only take us so far without action.
When we talk about the law of attraction and manifestation, we say that we must be able to trust in the universe. We are told to let go of resistance and instead be in a state of allowance.
In church we are taught to give our problems to God. “Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.” (Psalm 55:22)
Regardless of your spiritual path, it is prudent that we find the balance between faith and action. So which one comes first? This is not a chicken or egg scenario. It’s actually quite simple. The greatest spiritual leaders and doers of our time have lived by faith first.
“Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.” ― Martin Luther King Jr.
“All I have seen teaches me to trust the Creator for all I have not seen.” ― Ralph Waldo Emerson
“It is no use walking anywhere to preach unless our walking is our preaching.” ― St. Francis of Assisi
“Faith is not complacent; faith is action. You don’t have faith and wait. When you have faith, you move.” ― Betty Eadie
“Faith in action is love, and love in action is service. By transforming that faith into living acts of love, we put ourselves in contact with God Himself, with Jesus our Lord.” ― Mother Teresa
“Faith is the complete reliance on the power and goodness of Spirit and the firm belief that you are always connected to this goodness. Always affirm your faith and not your doubt. When you affirm that things might not work out, that your troubles continue to mount, that your problems are insoluble, that God has not been listening, or that you are powerless in the face of so many struggles, you are affirming doubt rather than faith. The ability to know faith and affirm it allows it to manifest in your life.” ― Dr. Wayne Dyer
What these incredible individuals are saying—and living by—is to put your faith in God and then take action. Have you ever heard someone say, “taking a leap of faith?” They purposely say “faith.” It’s not taking a leap of ego-driven action.
What happens so often particularly for the strong, independent types is that we feel we can only rely on ourselves. We have learned somewhere in life on this earth that we can’t rely on others and we certainly can’t rely on what can’t be seen or touched.
I know this firsthand because this has been a personal struggle of mine throughout my life. I’ve always been a very spiritual person, yet what I’m learning is that quite honestly, I haven’t always relied on my faith to help me as I take action. Allow me a moment to clarify.
I am absolutely clear that nothing happens without the grace of God. We are given unique gifts (i.e., our purpose) in order for our soul to serve a particular calling or dharma. However, when your goals/desires become more of a priority than being in service, a disconnect occurs. We get stuck.
This is because we focus day in and day out about our ego’s need to reach that goal. I know this because I’m also fiercely competitive. If I continue to be honest, I can admit that I don’t like to compete as a team, but rather as an individual because I know I am in control. See the issue there? “I am in control.”
How much of that is the truth though? While I do believe that my soul made an agreement to live this life, I also believe that the gifts I have, were given to me by God for a specific reason. Therefore, how can I be successful when I’m taking full credit as an individual instead of living every moment as a being of light?
Wouldn’t I be better served to be on God’s team and aligned with the source in all of my action? As the pastor at my church likes to say, “Do all things to his glory.” In other words, consult with God and then take meaningful action with purpose.
Doesn’t that sound more like a winning plan? There is no greater life coach than God. When our soul is connected to that source we are able to serve our purpose with clarity. We are given the answers to all of our problems if we take the time to not just speak with God, but to listen and allow him to put things in place as we take action. Take each step as a step in faith.
I encourage you to try this approach and I mean really try it. Not sort of, halfway, or when you think about it, but literally pause before action and take a moment to give that to God.
Here are a few simple, yet meaningful, affirmations you can say before taking that action:
- Thank you.
- Bless me so that I may be a greater blessing to others.
- I am ready to learn and to serve.
- Guide my soul to its purpose.
- Bless my actions to lift others up.
- May this action be for the greater good.
- I don’t have to struggle. I am guided by my faith.
Try this for a week and let me know how that goes. See what you notice in just that short period of time.
