I have been playing a word game called “Word Cookies” for years. I’ve accumulated over five million baking points and nearly 140,000 cookies. I know what you’re thinking…”Get a life, Jen.” However, in my defense, it is supposed to be good for your brain.
When I first began playing the game, you were rewarded when you solved the puzzles. Today, it’s gotten more sophisticated, and many times when I receive rewards, I have no idea why. Suddenly, my screen explodes with a congratulatory message like “You’re Brilliant!”
My points go up and my standing amongst other players rises, yet I have no idea why. However, maybe I do know. The fact is, I earned the rewards by:
- participating in the game daily
- advancing to more challenging levels
- not giving up
Faith Is More Than Believing—It Requires Movement
This progression in my word game made me think about my walk with God. It started over a decade ago when I began seriously studying the Bible, reading it daily and listening to teachings. Then I advanced to the next level of my faith by becoming a member of a local church, attending, and graduating from Bible College.
This led to the launch of Elevate The Day where I began sharing faith-based blog posts to encourage my followers. I advanced again by writing my memoir, starting the Elevate The Day podcast, co-authoring a devotional with my wonderful podcast co-host, Karen Salisbury. The next level included teaching Bible studies, Bible College, serving in my church, and speaking to various groups.
I am not sharing these milestones to secure a “You’re Brilliant” message from you, but rather to illustrate that our walk with God is just that – a walk. Step by step, day by day, our faith grows, our relationship with Him deepens, and we experience the blessings Jesus died for us to have. It takes time and patience.
The book of James teaches that “faith without works is dead” (James 2:14). I used to think this meant that I had to work or earn my way into God’s heart. But that is not true. God loves me because of who HE is, not who or what I am.
In its simplest form, faith is believing that God is who He says He is and that He will do what He says He will do…all the time.
To see faith in action, you have to “work it.” Here’s a natural example: you may have faith that a light switch will illuminate a space. But until you actually flip it on, you’ll remain in the dark.
Same with God. I believe He will do what He says but if I don’t take a step forward, if I don’t take Him at His Word, then I won’t experience the blessing He has promised.
Your Next Step Could Lead to Your Greatest Blessing
Abraham was told to leave his family and country to become the father of many nations. Moses was told to stretch his rod out over the Red Sea. Peter was told to cast his net out for a big catch.
All of these instructions came directly from God. All of them required some action by the person. When they obeyed, they all experienced blessings and miracles.
If faith without works is dead, then the opposite must also be true – faith WITH works is alive.
I want to encourage you to put your faith to work this week. If God has been telling you to do something, whether directly in your spirit or in His Word, just do it. While you may not get an explosion of fireworks on your phone, God will bless you “exceedingly, abundantly, above anything you could ask or think (Ephesians 3:20-21).
And that’s way better than five million points.