And if my people upon whom my name has been pronounced, humble themselves and pray, and seek my presence and turn from their evil ways, I will hear them from heaven and pardon their sins and revive their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14)
Today’s world gives us many reasons to lose hope and give up on God. I used to be an optimist, someone who saws the bright, positive side of things. After many years of living in this world and with my realist husband, my bright side has become a little faded and maybe that’s the way it should be. But I don’t want to be a negative Nellie, someone who only sees the world through darkened glasses.
God did not intend for us to live in this world without hope, to flounder in the darkness of the deepest despair and He has given us avenues, tools if you will to help dispel the fear. Prayer and faith are the tools. However like other tools in a toolbox if we don’t pick them up and use them for their intended purpose they don’t reach their full potential. Say you want to hang a picture on the wall; you need a hammer, and some kind of hanging device. So you have the tools and the picture sitting on the counter. Something more is needed. They won’t do the work themselves, although I am sure sometimes we wish they would.
One more ingredient is needed; some kind of action needs to happen.
Prayer and faith are like the hammer and hanging implement. They are the first, necessary step. Along with prayer we need action.
There has been some debate in the mainline media recently and many people in places where they can make big changes have used prayer as a copout, a panacea for the particular issue of the day. “Our prayers are with the people of…we pray for a resolution to whatever.”
That’s all well and good, the problem comes when they say the words, but there is no action, no follow-up.
In today’s broken, messed up world action needs to go hand in hand with prayer and faith. During this Advent season and throughout the Year of Mercy remember that prayer and faith are the first, best step, but not the only step.
The steps don’t have to be big complicated steps, like enlisting in the military or going on a mission trip, because not everyone can do those things. We can all do small, uncomplicated things. I just read an article about cartoonist, Charles M. Schulz. I won’t go into the whole article, but what jumped out at me; in 1968 during the contentious Civil Rights Movement, he chose to add a black character, Franklin, to his popular comic strip, Peanuts. Some didn’t approve of his move, but he stuck with his decision. I can’t imagine Peanuts without Franklin. He was just another one of the kids, not black, not white, not Christian or Jew or Muslim, just another one of the kids.
Mr. Schulz is just one of the million examples of one small action that can start the snowball effect that changes the world. Your one small action inspired by prayer and faith makes a difference. Help a neighbor, donate to feed the hungry and homeless, clean out your closets and toy chests, donate your gently used clothes and toys to people that have less than you. Defend those who are different from you; write an article or add a cartoon character. Most of all; Love.
Don’t pray and then stop. Don’t let prayer and faith be your excuse for inaction. Use your God-given tools of faith and prayer to start that small ripple in the pond. Because we all know that the small ripple doesn’t stay small, instead it grows and spreads.
Be that one small pebble.
Copyright 2015, Christina Weigand
Christina Weigand
Christina Weigand’s a writer, wife, and mother of four. She is also Nana to three granddaughters. She lives with her husband and youngest daughter in Cranberry Twp. Pennsylvania, returning there after a short sabbatical in Washington. Currently, she’s working on fantasy novels and inspirational writing. Through her writing, she strives to share the Word of God and help people young and old to realize the love and mercy He has for everyone. When she’s not writing, she’s active in her local Church as a lector, Bible Study, volunteering at her daughter’s school helping the children develop a love for reading and writing. Jesus fills her home with love as she shares Him through her writing.
One response to “One Small Pebble”
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Christina:
I agree, prayer is also a catalyst for action.
God Bless
Luciano