My grandfathers were both gardeners and so are
many of my friends. I love visiting beautiful gardens—they inspire me. They
make me want to create something equally beautiful in my own yard. But I have
trouble moving from the inspiration to the perspiration part of gardening. My
great ideas don’t become reality because I don’t spend the time and energy to
make them happen.
This can be
true in our spiritual lives as well. We can listen to the testimonies of other
people and marvel at the work God is doing in their lives. We can hear
uplifting music and great preaching and feel inspired to follow God more
diligently. But soon after we walk out of church, we have trouble finding the
time or making the effort to follow through.
James described such Christians as being like those who look in a
mirror, see themselves, but do nothing to fix what is wrong (James 1:23-24). They hear the
Word, but it doesn’t lead to action. James says we need to do—not just hear.
When we move from the inspiration of simply “hearing” about the good
being done by others to the perspiration of actually “doing” good works
ourselves, the implanted Word of God (1:21) will bloom into a beautiful garden
of spiritual fruit.
