Don’t Forget To Act

12 Jan

“If you spend too much time wondering what you’re going to feel like in year five, you’re not going to feel anything in year one.”  ~ Emilia Clarke

I have known people throughout the years who have talked about all sorts of things that they were going to do, all sorts of goals and accomplishments that they had planned out, all sorts of dreams that they had.  Yet, they never did a thing.  They talked a good game but they never acted upon their talk.  They would talk and talk and talk about their plans and dreams and goals.  Whenever there was someone new to talk with, they would share everything all over again.  But, when it came down to attempting any of it, there were nowhere to be seen.

Those kind of people truly embody today’s quote.  It is true that we can talk so much about doing something and yet never accomplish it.  I can’t help but think that’s got to be incredibly frustrating.  After all, I say to myself, there has got to be something in those people that makes them see reality, where they can see that they are all talk and no show.  Certainly that has got to leave them feeling unaccomplished.

We are quickly coming to the end of our Christmas season.  We have been journeying together, via these reflections, since the beginning of Advent.  We have come too far to let this journey be mere words.  We need to act.  Tomorrow, we will celebrate the Baptism of the Lord and, in the process, renew our own Baptismal promises.  We were commissioned by the Lord to proclaim the Good News not only by word but by deed.

Yes, there are a lot of words that go into proclaiming the faith.  People need to hear the stories of our faith, the stories of the Lord.  However, they also need to see action.  If we are people who say one thing but do not back our words with works, we will be ignored by the world.  Today, more than ever it seems, the world needs witnesses.

Do not merely talk about where you will be next Advent or Christmas.  Do not merely talk about where you will be in five or ten years.  Instead, while you talk, act upon your faith.  Love your neighbor.  Pray for those who taunt you.  Set an example for all to follow.  Be kind and compassionate.  Love freely and forgive just as freely.  Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

Do more than plan.  Act.

FAITH ACTION:  Make sure that, while you plan out and talk about what you need to do, you actually do something today for the Lord, for the faith, for yourself.  Don’t forget to act on your faith.