“And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind.” Titus 2:7a

Fail

See this picture? I have many that look just the same as this one. Why? Because I tried and tried to capture a shot of a leaf floating on the wind as it fell from its branch and I failed. So, while this photo is nice, the one I wanted eluded me because I always missed the leaf.

Now, if you’ve been around me much or read some of my writing you might know that I spent many, many years trying to be perfect (I’m afraid the desire still rears its ugly head from time to time) but, we all know how that turns out don’t we! Try as I might, I always miss the mark and fail.

Here’s the thing though, there’ve been lots of times in life that I’ve had opportunities to reach out and get to know someone new, to offer help when needed, to say “yes” instead of making an excuse, to share-my-faith, all lost because in addition to trying and failing, I’ve also failed to try.  And, I think that might even be worse. Don’t you? 

In those times, just like my experience with taking the picture of a falling leaf, I’ve waited too long to act, my focus has been out of whack, or I convinced myself I couldn’t do it. I fell short, missing the chance to make a change around me and also in me by doing the good work God had for me to do. 

“For we are God’s masterpiece. He created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)

“So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless. 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 2:17-18 (NLT)

We know that we are not saved by what we do but I think those “good things” God designs for us to do are deeds that lead others and ourselves closer to Him. We don’t want to be like an elusive leaf being missed by a world that’s watching. Instead, we want them to capture us reacting in a way they don’t expect, showing love despite differences, having priorities that aren’t popular, and so much more. We don’t have to be perfect, we’ll miss the mark sometime, yes, we may even try and fail; but as masterpieces in the making, when it comes to demonstrating our faith, we must never fail to try.

“And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” Philippians 1:6 (NLT)

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