Stop Using Faith As An Excuse: The Dynamic Link Between Faith and Action

The surprising friendship between faith and action.

Have you ever met someone who used their faith as an excuse for inaction? “God will provide!” say such people, while they openly neglect responsible actions that might alleviate their issues.

Is faith meant to work this way? Or is this an abuse of the concept?

The truth is –there is not a simple answer to that question. There may be cases when pure faith is all that’s possible, and when pure faith is, indeed, enough.

But barring those circumstances, let’s consider a different role that faith plays in our lives.

See, one way to look at faith is as kind of an…emotional-intellectual experience. It’s something you carry in your mind and your heart, the result of which is that you live in a state of equanimity. You can tolerate and accept life’s uncertainties. You don’t live in a state of anxiety and fear.

Now, I’m not saying this isn’t a great thing. But it’s not all that faith is there to do.

To see another angle of faith, let’s consider the following: Who demonstrates faith?

The person who clings to an unrewarding job because they are afraid to risk the loss of a salary? Or the person who starts (intelligently, mind you) a business of their own and doggedly pursues the growth and perfection of that business?

The farmer who, after purchasing land, eats whatever bits of vegetables and fruit grow on their own, but does not bother to invest in planting new crops? Or the farmer who takes a risk by purchasing seed and planting that seed, (intelligently, mind you) trusting the rain to help his crops grow so they can provide him with income and, in the process, feed more mouths than just his own?

The Israelites who shrink away from entering the land and engaging in conquest, allowing God to sustain them miraculously in the desert? Or the Israelites who, following Joshua’s advice to “be strong and courageous,” march bravely into a land where they are sure to meet nations who are stronger than them, believing that God will come to their aid in battle?

See…we have a concept called “a leap of faith,” which captures something truly central about the role that faith is supposed to play in our lives. Specifically, faith is not just meant to help us accept the things that happen to us. Faith also enhances our sense of agency and gives us the courage to act.

In this sense, the very practical actions of making an investment or founding a business require a high degree of faith. However much analysis or preparation a person has done, there are always unknown variables he will face and the risk of failure and loss.

At some point, he will face the moment of truth – to step into the sea in the belief that he will eventually find a path forward? Or to back down in fear, seeking the security of a salaried job or dependence on other people or institutions?

This, then, is one of the truly crucial aspects of practical faith. Namely, that far from excusing us from taking action in our lives, faith spurs us to action. It is what gives us the confidence to step into the unknown – whether by forming a family, founding a business, or following the path laid out by God to enter the chosen land.

Why does faith have this empowering effect? Because it provides us with the inexplicable sense that there is something supporting us at all times. Like the child who fearlessly learns to walk because he is buttressed by his parents’ unwavering support and presence, we have the courage to step forward in our lives without fear, because we trust the Divine Parent to be by our side at all times.

Does every action or personal dream justify a leap of faith? Will God “show up for us” for every venture? I would not suggest that is so.

Let’s dive more deeply into the nature of God’s support going forward. In the meantime – happy leaps of faith!

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