Faith Lived

by Jazz Becker

“You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected.” (James 2:22, NASB)

At one point while living in Hawaii, I felt that God had more for me than just the temp jobs I’d been doing for many years since graduating from college. Yes, something more than sand, surf, sun and not having a career.

The problem was that I had no idea what I was meant to do. Europe always held a special place in my heart, having lived and traveled there often since the age of two—but what would bring me there? How would I make a living? Where would I go?

I brought this situation up to a dear friend and by faith, through prayer, God pointed us both in a clear direction: Paris, France. So, I knew the destination, but not how to get there. God started opening (and closing) doors once I began putting action to my faith. I prayerfully walked through those open doors, one at a time, allowing God to guide me. In fact, seeing God at work in my life during this time, I started a blog in 2012 called foi en œuvre (“faith in action”).

Long—but very cool—story short, I am serving as a GEM missionary in Germany (by way of France), because I took those steps of faith. Instead of just saying I had faith that there was something more for me and leaving it at that, I took the initiative to work with what I had and made connections with the people God brought into my life.

In Matthew 17:20, Jesus talks about having faith the size of a mustard seed. I have such a seed taped inside one of my Bibles—so I can tell you they’re very small, if you haven’t seen one before. Just a small amount of faith can move a mountain. Then Jesus mentions having faith without doubt in Matthew 21:21.

What stands out to me in both verses, is Jesus said that we must tell the mountain to move, to be cast into the sea. We have the faith, sure, but it’s on us to back up that faith with action.

Living by faith is definitely not always easy. Doubts, worries, uncertainties—sometimes even personal loss, persecution or danger can threaten our acting out our faith. People like Abel, Abraham and Rahab in the “Hall of Faith” of Hebrews 11 are great examples of living out faith. Psalm 31:23b-24 gives also us encouragement:
The Lord preserves the faithful

And fully recompenses the proud doer.

Be strong and let your heart take courage,

All you who hope in the Lord.

Warmly in Christ,

Jazz Becker

For Reflection

“In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” (James 2:17, NIV)

1. How are you currently living out your faith by your actions?
2. In what areas of your life, if any, do you need to put action(s) to your faith?
3. Is there anything hindering you (i.e. fear, doubt, laziness, etc.) from doing so?