“Don’t just sit there. Do something!”
We’ve heard the words since we were children, often in exasperated tones. Nothing good would come unless we put forth effort, broke a sweat, and “earned our keep.”
Those old lines may help to motivate lazy kids, but they’re not good counsel for the life of faith. Our intensity and haste rarely help to build God’s kingdom.
The Bible offers clear, unhurried counsel: “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord” (Psalm 27:14). Our culture demands instant action and reaction, but the Father urges haggard hearts, “Be still, and know that I am God!” (Psalm 46:10).
And when our guilt and shame insist we work to prove ourselves deserving of His love, He says: “Only in returning to Me and resting in Me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength” (Isa 30:15).
If you’re exhausted by what you’ve known of faith, Jesus speaks with grace and kindness: “Come to Me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest” (Matt 11:28).
Which is also His way of saying, “Don’t just do something! Sit here.”
Now stay in grace.
—Bill Knott