You’ve probably heard the quip: “When all is said and done, far more is said than done.” If you have sat through one talk fest too many, you will know that many a true word is spoken in jest. Are there times when our zealous planning and “let’s test that one more time” simply become an excuse for procrastination?
Those of you who know me will be aware that I’m alert to the counter to any argument – it’s an art I developed back in my days in the school debating team, and it has served me well. If I had to oppose what I have said, I would rebut it with a “decide in haste, regret at leisure.”
Am I going to sit on the fence on this, and say, “Well, it all depends… You could say… but then again…”? It’s so easy to degenerate into blah, blah blah, with another bland talk fest birthed.
No I’m not. I think we should have a bent towards action. Not reckless action – but action.
I do a fair amount of writing and when budding authors have asked for my counsel I usually repeat the wise words I was given: “You can’t edit a blank sheet.” And you can’t. So start – just start. It can all get changed later, but until you are moving, it’s unlikely you will know where you really want to go. Or there is another saying I like: “A ship in the harbour is safe, but that it not what ships are made for.”
I’ve often thought about Ecc 11:1-2 which in the NLT reads: “Send your grain across the seas, and in time, profits will flow back to you. 2 But divide your investments among many places, for you do not know what risks might lie ahead.” It’s a wise combination of “don’t put all your eggs into one basket” with an underlying assumption that you will be in the market – you won’t forever be discussing should I or shouldn’t I do something. It’s that bent towards action that I notice… wise and considered action, but action.
Why do I push towards action?
The deepest learning comes when we commit to action. Words can mean anything, but actions demonstrate commitment. When you act, people start to take you seriously – you become a player. You also start to notice things that you don’t when you chatter in the realm of theory. Often you realise that the first iteration of your plan needs to change. Acting is not the end of discussion – rather it takes discussion in another direction. It becomes a lot more serious when you are in the game, rather than making deprecating comments from the sideline. You think a lot more carefully about the implications of what you are saying, and you listen more closely to the nay sayers… after all, once you spring into action, it’s not a game, you are busy shaping reality.
It takes faith to move into action. This can be a tricky realm. There is the lovely promise of Isa 30:21, ‘Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”’ The assumption is that the voice comes whilst we are in action – when we are faced with a left or right decision. It’s interesting that the voice comes from behind us… I’ve often heard people justify inaction with the claim, “I don’t want to run ahead of God. I want to hear God’s voice calling out to me.” But this verse (and true, you could counter with others) suggests that it is fine to be moving ahead steadily, trusting that God will call out before major decisions, giving the guidance you need while you are on the journey, not while you are still waiting to start.
What is the role of prayer in this? While 1 Thess 5:17 encourages us to “pray without ceasing” there is the provocative account in Ex 14:15 (TLB): ‘Then the Lord said to Moses, “Quit praying and get the people moving! Forward, march!”‘ Much prayer needs to take place en route – birthed by the journey and in the thick of action. Certainly Jesus knew the reality of this kind of prayer. With the Cross staring him in the face he prays, “If you are willing, please take this cup from me – but not my will, but yours be done.” (Lk 22:42) That’s about seeing how costly action can be – how much easier it is to procrastinate a little longer. But Jesus knew that he had come to die. Inaction was not an option.
What am I saying? Perhaps ask yourself a simple question, “Am I primarily a talker or a doer?” If the former, why not take a deep breath, and ask for the credibility that comes from considered and faithful actions. After all, Jesus says, “I was hungry, and you fed me” not, “I was hungry, and you spoke about how awful that was.”
And dare I finish in my usual way? Nice chatting…
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