Doing the Do.

One time I was standing in what I would call the “spiritual self-help” section of a seminary bookstore looking for yet another ‘how-to prayer’ book. As I browsed the numerous options the thought came to me, ‘If I applied even ten percent of all of the other books I already have on prayer, then I could probably write my own book. I realized in that moment that I was substituting reading about prayer for praying. I immediately set down whatever book was in my hand and headed for the seminary prayer room. I had a phenomena encounter with God. I realized then how easy it is to talk about God, instead of to God, or to read about prayer, instead of praying.

I am addressing this today because I have added a ‘This Week’s Recommended Resource’ and I now have The Practical Disciple Resource Center as an opportunity for you to purchase resources on spiritual growth. The danger in such resources is that you substitute studying an activity for doing the activity. Little or no growth happens when that is the case. I would encourage you to examine how much you are applying what you learn. Make sure that you are ‘doing the do’ of whatever area of discipleship you are studying.

So much more learning happens in the doing. Jesus wrapped up the sermon on the mount with a parable that emphasized the need to apply what his listeners heard. He said–

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the stream rose, and the wind blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation upon a rock. But everyone who hears these words of m ine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand, the rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against the house, and it fell with a great crash.” (Matthew 7:24-27)

A nature mentor I know likes to put it this way, “The knowing is in the doing.” So be very conscientious about applying what you learn, even if your application occurs in extremely small increments. With that said, what are you going to do our apply once you log off of this blog? What is one important lesson or life principle you have learned recently and how have you applied it? Blessings to you from The Practical Disciple