Duality of reality. Is there a better way? 😌

I woke up 5 in the morning with a thought. And the sermon began.

Every choice of ‘yes’ is a ‘no’ to something else.

That is dual nature. Last week I started with a question.

What is the relationship between faith and action?

We know action doesn’t produce faith. (Or does it?)

But faith does produce action. Nobody transforms to somebody without the action.

What is the relationship between faith and action?

Action is never without a belief. Because you believe you act. It is true whether you are atheist or religious or spiritual doesn’t matter. You act because you believe.

Simple example, you would not go to work if you are believing that you would paid or you are adding value. Simple as that. You believe your employer to come through. Faith in employer producing the action of showing up.

If you think about, in-action is part of action, as much as no is part of yes, and as much as hate part of love.

“Ok Chander, I agree, could be, now what is your point in all this?”

I hear your question. I asked the same question.

Let us turn to Exodus.

Exodus 33:15
NIV

15 Then Moses said to him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.

Moses is talking about not moving or not doing (in-action) if God doesn’t move. And sure Moses with Israelites did that in the wilderness.

Exodus 40:36-37
NIV

36 In all the travels of the Israelites, whenever the cloud lifted from above the tabernacle, they would set out; 37 but if the cloud did not lift, they did not set out—until the day it lifted.

And someone else said similar thing. I wondering who? 🤔

John 5:19
NIV

19 Jesus gave them this answer: “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.

Jesus, Son of God. oh He also waited to see Father do, before He acted?

Somehow the modern Christianity thinks we can find God’s will by starting to do and interpret based on the circumstances there of and pivot accordingly. That sounds something straight out self help class.

Is it so, we start and we figure out along the way ?

Of course, we see that Abraham life, in Peter. Abraham moved of ‘Ur’ but did not know where he was going or where is so going to settle? Abraham acted without knowing the plan.

But that doesn’t change the point Jesus made, that He does only what He sees HIS Father does.

Watch, Abraham started because God said. So Abraham waited 75 years and he moved only at the Word of God.

But we somehow think, that we start doing and God will eventually catch with us and follow us to give us favour. It sounds absurd if I say so.

But we do that all the time. We do our thing and ask God to bless that thing, that we do.

Is there a better way?🧐☺️

Once 14 years back my friend Deepak told of about old lady in our church.

She was a perfect nobody. No positions no titles and I do not remember her name.

Deepak told of her on having conversation with her.

“…. Aunty, she is always having conversation with God. She said, she would wake up and ask God what food do you want me to prepare? She engages HIM in every little thing.”

My lights went on. That is cool. Deepak went onto to say, “is God interested only big things? No, He is interested in every aspect of the way. Would it not be great.”

My lights in head were flowing. I prayed, I want that. I want You like that. I want You in everything I do.

Yes, I did, even if I am shopping a shirt with my wife. I would try on and would ask God, “Dad, what do you like this or that, which one should I choose?”

And He would answer back. The GOD who upholds the universe would take HIS time to be with HIS (this) son to answer him.

Years pass by. Caught up in life, I forgot that. Listening to self-motivation and modern form of Christianity I got lost in the movement of doing forgetting the ‘being’.

Father here is my prayer, our prayer, let us be quiet and not move unless you say so. Peter didn’t step out in the water unless Jesus said “come”.

Let us hear You Father, not only in big things but in everything, the food that I eat, the dress I shall wear, the words that would speak today. I need You. We need You. Let me slow to speak, quick to listen.

Let my soul be quiet within me, as HE speaks in still silent voice of HIS. The sweetest sound that we hear. HIS sheep know HIS voice, hear HIS voice.

It is not the question ‘if we hear His voice?’ Bible says we hear HIS voice. Father let me be quiet that I listen to You.

Inaction, stillness is an action too. It takes faith to be still and to know HIM.

Father, help us to listen, help us to ask like Moses, unless You move we would not go.

Blessed be Moses as much so is …. Aunty, the unknown Aunty who inspired us all. Aunty bless you, your legacy is carried forward by the children of faith. Thank you Aunty. And Heavens rejoice over her.