Just Do It

A little something I’ve learnt through Erwin McManus from Mosaic Church and Ps Steven Furtick from Elevation Church, in which I passed on to my class in Tung Ling somewhere in September.

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Carpe Diem - Just Do It

Let’s turn to 1 Samuel 14 as we take a look at two Bible characters who displayed the attributes of seizing their moments. 1 Samuel 14 happened during the war between the Philistines and Israelites. In this story, Jonathan and his armour bearer goes over to the enemy’s camp in an attempt to defeat them, while Saul and the rest of the army camped out and waited under a pomegranate tree.

The first thought about this is - Initiative

Jonathan saw an opportunity Saul failed to see and he decided to seize it. Two armies were just camping at their respective sites not doing anything. Saul, already afraid of the wrath he incurred when he overrode the procedures of offering sacrifices, as well as the scattering of his terrified men, chose to remain under a pomegranate tree and wait.

Whereas, Jonathan knew, that taking action was better than sitting around in fear and uncertainty. He could not sit and do nothing. He was focused in what he had to do, in the purpose for which they were there. So he and his armour bearer got up and set out to find the Philistines.

We have come out from 10 weeks of intense spiritual feeding of the Word of God. We know our time left with each other is very precious, but on that same note, we also know that after Tung Ling, we will be embarking on a whole new season of our lives. So my question is: What is the one thing that is dominating your thoughts or actions that you need to take? Think of an answer to this question - what is the ONE thing that God has been speaking to you in this season of Tung Ling; a challenge, a direction, an impression, an action.

In John 2, where the famous water turned to wine passage is, we all know that the wedding banquet ran out of wine. In verse 5, Jesus’ mother said to the servants “Whatever He tells you to do, do it.”

When pursuing God and His call for our lives, when we know it’s a God-thing, we need to do something. We need to get up and do it. Whether it is throwing the idea out to someone, gathering a committee of like-minded people to brainstorm, responding to the prompting to talk to someone about Christ. Just do something.

If no one is laughing at your vision lately, maybe you’re not dreaming big enough. It is like being in a conference, or much like being in school. Not only are we not doing it, we’re hearing someone not doing it, talk about doing it. And if we don’t actually do it, what are we doing? What are we going to do about the things we’ve heard and learnt?

What should be happening is taking the vague info and revelation and focus it into a practical application. Do it. You got to do it. If our inspiration doesn’t translate to action, this is worthless; I’m not taking about being reckless and impulsive, but about having an immediate and specific obedience to what God is calling us to do. Do it.

My second point deals with Uncertainty & Risk.

When Jonathan and his armour bearer set out for the Philistine’s camp, they were not certain about their victory in the battle. The words “Perhaps” or “Maybe” can be found in verse 6. There were a lot of risks involved. They were outnumbered, they only had one sword, and they were going to unfamiliar grounds. They did not know the end, if they would live or die, if they would win the battle or not. They were prepared to die at the enemy’s hands.

Two things were most certain though – Jonathan trusted God and nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few. Jonathan acknowledged that the battle was the Lord’s. The other thing that was certain, was that it was definitely not safe to remain where they are.

And the truth is as such, that we cannot predict or know what is ahead. We can put in our blood and sweat into planning or execution but the outcome may be totally unexpected. There is also a risk, at people not understanding what we are doing. In Mark 11:1-6 Jesus…

When you leave school, when you start your new season, there may be people asking what are you doing. Yet a few things are definitely certain in our own lives – that the God who is able to save whether by many or by few is the same God we serve today. We need to take risks and learn to live before we die – it is not safe to remain.

At this point of our season in Tung Ling, you may want to say STOP! Cause you’ve got so much to unpack. Or you may be at a dangerous point where you want more and stay at the point of glory. But it is not safe to remain! Remaining will cause a stagnation in growth, we may become apathetic and indifferent, but most of all, we will not be fulfilling the call God has given us. Remaining will only increase the amount of uncertainties and fear we will potentially have.

You don’t need enough courage and faith to finish. You just need faith to take the first step. 

Which brings me to my last point: Advance

Despite the uncertainties they faced, Jonathan and his armour bearer took the risk and made their way to the enemy’s outpost. They even allowed the enemies to see them. This would be where Jonathan would also know for certain if they were going to win the battle or not. Verse 8. This is the end. They have obeyed fully and now it was up to the Almighty God to intervene.

When we are obedient and have faith to take the first step, our obedience becomes a pipeline to channel a growth of faith in our lives to see a miracle happen. And here’s how - Do it like it’s already been done because it is.

The colt was already tied up just as Jesus said it would. He has already made plans and provisions. He knew that He was going to multiply bread for the thousands when everyone else was freaking out. He knew of the salvation plan for mankind when others were still waiting for the Messiah. When you do as Jesus said, it will be like He said it was.

If you do it like it’s already done, and this will change your perspective - when you get to the other side, to the place where He is preparing you for, you’d find that He has already prepared it for you. You see, our God is a faithful God.

Us doing what He is calling us to do, is not going to get started or its results be based on our faith. It has already been done. The entire Bible speaks of His faithfulness. God’s past performance is the predictor of His future ability. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. Jesus sends someone to do what has already been done. Just do as He says.

So I ask you again, what is the dominant thing that God is telling you to do, through everything you’ve heard and learnt the past 3 months? Take the next step and do it like it has already been done.

If your faith in your faith, your faith is gonna fail you. If your faith is in your feelings, your faith is going to fluctuate. If your faith is on an opportunity, your opportunity might go away. Look at what God has already done and place your faith in the faithfulness of God.

Whatever it cost, do it. Whatever He’s calling you to do, do it. In God’s perspective, it’s already been done. we are just walking out the plan He’s established all along.

Finally, let me leave you with this thought - the most extraordinary moves of God begins with ordinary acts of obedience. Don’t take for granted the power of ordinary obedience. Because of Jonathan’s action, and obedience to God, He caused a reaction and movement in three areas – God handed over the enemies’ into Israel’s hands through An earthquake. Saul was awoken by the commotion and joined in the battle, and Israelite who were camped and hidden at Ephraim also came out to fight the battle.

Jonathan seized the moment and fulfilled a purpose in which he was called for in this battle of beth-aven and in turn brought victory to his people. Similarly, when we seize our God-given moments, we will create a reaction and movement amongst the people closest to us, causing an ignition in impacting lives around us, and seeing the work of God through our lives.

It’s time to do it. Don’t lose your resolve. The job ain’t glamourous or easy. Maybe your job is to just take up the jars and fill it up with water, but when the water turns into wine, you know you had a part in that miracle because you obeyed Jesus in a small way. Whatever God has given you to do, do it. It’s not a small thing. Nothing is insignificant when done for the most significant person in the world and the advancing of the Kingdom.

What can God do through your obedience? You have the power of Jesus Christ by virtue of the Holy Spirit residing in us. Whatever God tells you to do, do it. Can we believe that nothing is impossible with God. And based on His faithfulness, His promises will come to pass. There is nothing more powerful than a promise of God coming to pass. Ephesians 3:20

“If your dreams are suppose to be bigger than your life, than your life will always be limited by the size of your dreams. Sometimes getting up and walking is more about your head than your legs.”