Wednesday, November 27, 2024

A dream is just a dream until you take action. We need to have faith to take a risk.

This week’s movie, Air, was about having faith and the risks that come with truly believing in something. Sonny Vaccaro, an executive at Nike, had faith that signing Michael Jordan, who at the time was a rookie playing for the Chicago Bulls, was worth the risk. Michael not only revived their brand but changed athletic endorsements forever. 

James 2:17-18
¹⁷ So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless. ¹⁸ Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.”

James, Jesus’ brother, wrote these verses to explain that faith in Jesus Christ is active and transformative. God offers forgiveness of sins and an eternal home with him for those who believe in Jesus. However, it is not enough to just say that we acknowledge the facts about Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. We also need to trust in him. When we accept Christ as our Lord and Savior, it should change us in such a way that we live our lives differently. It is through our actions that our faith becomes tangible, because our actions reflect our hearts and what we value most.

According to BibleRef: “...we are saved only by faith, and this faith which saves will produce good works. According to James, those who lack works are not saved—not because they lack works, but because their lack of works proves that they lack saving faith.”

Sonny was willing to bet his entire career on Michael Jordan. Michael said that he could accept failure, but what he could not accept was not trying. History shows that this risk paid off big for both Nike, whose brand was revived, and for Jordan, who changed the future of athletic endorsements forever.

In order to overcome obstacles or do something impactful, we need enough faith to take a risk and dream bigger than others think is safe. Do you have the faith to take a risk—like going back to school, starting a business, asking for forgiveness or help, or coming back to church? 

Michael’s mom said, “If you say what you want, that’s fine and good, but doing something about it, that’s what really counts.”

Are you willing to do something that really counts?

Questions:
Are you willing to take the risk to fulfill your God-given purpose?

Are you dreaming bigger than others think is safe?

Do you have a saving belief in Jesus Christ?

Next Steps:
Read Hebrews 11 to see a myriad of Biblical people that displayed faith and by their actions took big risks which pleased God.

Continue to attend our current series, At the Movies, and invite a friend to join you.

Prayer:
Dear Father in Heaven, give me the faith to take risks. Risks that could knock me down but trusting enough that I get back up and try again. Give me eyes to see, ears to hear, and a heart that has faith in you. Thank you for Jesus and his saving grace. I pray for this in his powerful name, amen.

Series Theme Verse:
Romans 1:20
For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.

Today’s post was written by Jenn Macke, a regular contributor to the LivingItOut Devotional.