"In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." ~James 2:17 (NIV)
It's amazing what you can accomplish when you mix Faith with work!
God promised Abraham and Sarah a child. There was only one problem, they were already up in age, and God seemed to take His time in fulfilling that promise even after He made it to them. We often hear this lesson taught from the perspective of how to wait on God. Rarely, however, do we hear it taught from the perspective of working in Faith...while we wait. Romans 4:19 says that Abraham did not become weak in Faith and didn't even consider his own body, nor Sarah's even though their bodies were as good as dead due to age.
Think about this...out of Faith, Sarah and Abraham had to put their bodies to work instead of leaving them for dead, in spite of the fact that their age dictated they were too old for "activity." "Waiting on God" didn't translate to simply sitting and praying for God to present them with a child; and, there was only one virgin birth promised. In spite of advanced age, decreased desire, and weakened bodies, Faith demanded ACTION. The combination of Faith and Work while waiting on God resulted in a fulfilled promise/vision!
For my friends who are new and budding entrepreneurs and ministry Founders/Leaders like me, although you may be waiting on God to open doors and present opportunities, the work of planting, cultivation, and nurturing must be ongoing in order for a harvest to manifest. The promise will never be born until first a seed is planted. As the seed grows through cultivation (prayer, wisdom, creativity, and God's direction) and nurturing (attention, excellence, diligence, and patience), then the vision becomes more and more evident. Others begin to see the evidence of what was planted in your spiritual womb. And as the promise comes to full term, you can rest assured that all of the preparations for a healthy delivery will have been set perfectly in order.
Finally, please know that, in the beginning especially, when your circle of influence is small, most people wont have or understand your vision. Therefore you have to be able to communicate it in a variety of genres so that it is easily grasped for: writers, web designers, illustrators, department heads, board members, investors, marketing developers, etc. The Bible says write the vision and make it plain so that those who will see it can take it and run with it. Is it possible that the reason no one is "running with your vision" is because it is impossible to understand? Do you even have it written down, or is it all in your head?
Leaders, never become weakened in Faith, nor consider any part of what God gave you to work with dead! Write the vision, work in Faith, and when the time is full term you will give birth to what God promised! And before the harvest is ready, He will have surrounded you with helpers who can see the vision and run with it, and you!
Make Monday, and your waiting MATTER!
God Bless,
Dawn~
God promised Abraham and Sarah a child. There was only one problem, they were already up in age, and God seemed to take His time in fulfilling that promise even after He made it to them. We often hear this lesson taught from the perspective of how to wait on God. Rarely, however, do we hear it taught from the perspective of working in Faith...while we wait. Romans 4:19 says that Abraham did not become weak in Faith and didn't even consider his own body, nor Sarah's even though their bodies were as good as dead due to age.
Think about this...out of Faith, Sarah and Abraham had to put their bodies to work instead of leaving them for dead, in spite of the fact that their age dictated they were too old for "activity." "Waiting on God" didn't translate to simply sitting and praying for God to present them with a child; and, there was only one virgin birth promised. In spite of advanced age, decreased desire, and weakened bodies, Faith demanded ACTION. The combination of Faith and Work while waiting on God resulted in a fulfilled promise/vision!
For my friends who are new and budding entrepreneurs and ministry Founders/Leaders like me, although you may be waiting on God to open doors and present opportunities, the work of planting, cultivation, and nurturing must be ongoing in order for a harvest to manifest. The promise will never be born until first a seed is planted. As the seed grows through cultivation (prayer, wisdom, creativity, and God's direction) and nurturing (attention, excellence, diligence, and patience), then the vision becomes more and more evident. Others begin to see the evidence of what was planted in your spiritual womb. And as the promise comes to full term, you can rest assured that all of the preparations for a healthy delivery will have been set perfectly in order.
Finally, please know that, in the beginning especially, when your circle of influence is small, most people wont have or understand your vision. Therefore you have to be able to communicate it in a variety of genres so that it is easily grasped for: writers, web designers, illustrators, department heads, board members, investors, marketing developers, etc. The Bible says write the vision and make it plain so that those who will see it can take it and run with it. Is it possible that the reason no one is "running with your vision" is because it is impossible to understand? Do you even have it written down, or is it all in your head?
Leaders, never become weakened in Faith, nor consider any part of what God gave you to work with dead! Write the vision, work in Faith, and when the time is full term you will give birth to what God promised! And before the harvest is ready, He will have surrounded you with helpers who can see the vision and run with it, and you!
Make Monday, and your waiting MATTER!
God Bless,
Dawn~
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