More than words, but actions

More than words, but actions

"Hezekiah trusted in the LORD, the God of Israel. There was no one like him among all the kings of Judah, either before him or after him. He held fast to the LORD and did not cease to follow him; he kept the commands the LORD had given Moses. And the LORD was with him; he was successful in whatever he undertook. He rebelled against the king of Assyria and did not serve him. From watchtower to fortified city, he defeated the Philistines, as far as Gaza and its territory."

-2 Kings 18:5-8

Time and time again I’ve read feats and characteristics of men such as David, Hezekiah, and Abraham. These were men who sought after God’s own heart, men who were called friends of God, and who held fast to their faith and belief in God and what he said. Last night a friend of mine, the beautiful Jen, took me to New Hope in Hawaii. It had been at least six months since I’ve been there because of my circumstances at the moment. To my surprise neither Pastor Wayne, nor Pastor Elywn were to speak, but a Pastor from New Hope Tokyo – Pastor Talo.

He gave a message entitled “Make Us Evangelistic.” It was really inspiring and reminded me of the importance of living out your faith, doing more than just believing alone. It was simple, but powerful. A wake-up call if you will that ideas and beliefs alone will not get the job done, but the deeds and actions behind driving that faith forward into reality. It is like there is a void between what we believe and what actually takes place in each of our individual lives. This emptiness between can only be crossed when we make the effort and take the initiative to bridge that gap with the choices we make and actions that we take.

A part of me used to think that it may be enough to just believe it, and when it suited me I would bridge that gap, or when there would be no cost and chance of embarrassment. However this is not what it means to be like Hezekiah who “held fast to the Lord,” or David who “was a man after God’s own heart.” Being a Christian is not about what is convenient or easy for me, having a relationship with God is not about him just benefiting us with “blessings” of money, some hot chick or that hunk of a man, or even a job. Our relationship with God most not just be in our heads, but our hearts through actions and deeds. Knowing God’s word and seeking after God as followers did before us will be a part of our guidance, and the other will be God’s Holy Spirit that has been promised to us.

Hezekiah was not noted for holding fast to God because he picked and chose what commands to follow and which to ignore. His success did not come from doing whatever he wanted, or even what he may have “thought” God wanted him to do. Hezekiah loved God to the extent of not just putting his own life on the line, but the risk of his entire kingdom – which was being threatened by the king of Assyria at that time. It is his actions that pleased God; he would not follow certain kings before him who worshiped and burned incense to other gods. By tearing down and destroying objects, and practices that God had commanded his people not to do, he chose his love for God over his love for man and his approval.

Choices, our world, our life are filled with them. We can either choose what we believe, or what is popular. We can choose our friends, or we can choose God. Not everything is always so cut and dry, or black and white, but this is why there is also the option of seeking God.

There was a time in my life where I forgot these things and let down a lot of people – best friends, family, and others that I failed to love properly. My choices were poor and did not match up to the beliefs and values that I held, I suppressed them in bitterness and anger. Obviously that was not the right choice, instead of the bitterness and anger I should have chosen to hold fast to God.

The past is done and over with, but with the present I have the choice to change my future. Even though it will not be easy to move forward fast with ease, my hope is in the Lord and choosing to take actions on my faith, I know now, is worth more than all the money, or even beautiful women, in the world. I choose Christ Jesus. It is my hope and prayer that those who read this will look at their lives and make the same choice to follow after our Lord. Don’t just think about following, but do it, make your next choice one which you will never regret; choose to follow Christ.

God bless and choose well,

Ikaika Mossman