In this reflection, Rob, the SIM NZ Director, urges us to stop merely performing religion and instead step courageously into the realness of the moment when God calls us to action.
“He is saying ‘And…action’ and eagerly waiting to see what you will do.”
Those are two words often heard on a movie set. Actors have already spent time learning their part and practicing delivering lines. All that work amounts to very little unless the above words are set and the scene is captured on film. When they do it well, it doesn’t feel like performing and we are drawn in to the realness of the moment.
Our faith is quite similar. After reading a magazine like this issue, we can be inspired by the action of others. We can sense the need that exists in the world. We can even feel more passionate about mission. All of that is worth very little if we don’t actively step into the realness of the moment when God is saying, ‘And…action!’
I just recently started studying Experiencing God by Henry Blackaby – a study I first did over 30 years ago. It was instrumental in my leaving the marketplace and stepping vocationally into God’s story. The premise of the study is that God is already at work in His creation. He is inviting us to join Him. The study encourages people don’t just stay aware, but actively look for how God is inviting them to join him and then courageously stepping into His invite.
This invite is intentional because God is just not transforming the world around you. He is transforming you. I read a pastor’s Instagram post this week that said, ‘If God is not transforming how you engage with people, you are not following Christ. You are performing religion.’ Within a mission context, this transformation he speaks of is cross-cultural. Intentionally going, praying, or supporting so people don’t live and die without hearing the Gospel.
We’ve seen evidence of people in this issue who have accepted this invite to action. God wants you to accept that invite too. He is saying ‘And…action’ and eagerly waiting to see what you will do. He doesn’t want just a performer. He wants someone who will sacrifice to live it out. Will you?
