Walk the Walk

James 1: 19-27 tells us that as Christians, we must live by Christ’s example in all we do.  We should strive to forgive, rather than let anger poison our relationships with our family and friends.  We are to speak less, and listen more.  Lastly, we should serve those in our church family and community who are experiencing financial, health, or other tough life challenges. 

Jesus fed the poor and clothed the needy.  He healed the sick.  He forgave those who deeply betrayed him.  That sets a high bar for Christians, but we can always strive to be more like Him in our actions.

This passage really puts us in our place, so to speak, because it says we need to stop “talking the talk,” and start “walking the walk.”   As we all know, that’s much easier said than done, with work, school, extracurriculars, and other commitments.  It’s important to learn more about Scripture through Bible studies, Sunday School, and worship, but we should be taking what we've learned and applying them in our daily lives.  

Central UMC offers a variety of wonderful ministries that each play a vital role in our church and community. Some more visible than others.  The Prayer Shawl Ministry has always been close to my heart because the shawls and blankets created through that ministry can help provide comfort and solace to their recipients for years to come.  It also allows me to use one of my favorite hobbies to serve others.

So, take some time this Lenten season to reflect on how you can “walk the walk” according to Jesus’ teachings.  What ministry or ministries are you passionate about, and what can you do more to serve the community through them?

Written by Holly Mabry