Action and Freedom
In his second station on the way to freedom, Dietrich Bonhoeffer calls us away from the realm of abstract thought and good intentions to the real world of action.
Do and dare what is right, not swayed by the whim of the moment.
Bravely take hold of the real, not dallying now with what might be.
Not in the flight of ideas but only in action is freedom.
Make up your mind and come out into the tempest of living.
God’s command is enough and your faith in him to sustain you.
Then at last freedom will welcome your spirit amid great rejoicing.460
We have read many stories about men and women who took action during time of war, in spite of their fears and the uncertainty of the times. Wartime seems to present situations requiring practical action rather than abstract ideas. There are times when the same applies in our spiritual lives. We all need times of quiet study and contemplation. However, this kind of activity is not an end in itself. These times are meant to prepare us to take action in service to God’s kingdom. We know that faith without works is dead. We don’t work our way to God, but if he is within us, we will want to do great things for him.
When we are tempted to feel too ill-equipped to accomplish anything for God, remember that it is not our ability that God is interested in, but our availability. Moses was convinced he was the wrong man for the job of leading the Israelites out of Egypt. But God told him, “I will be with you” (Exodus 3:12). In the same way, the apostle Paul tells us why we should never feel inadequate: “I can do everything through him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13). (JG)
You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless… As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.
—James 2:20, 26