Hear and Do

How do you feel about a do-nothing day? It really seems not too long ago those kind of days were on my "wish list" - a slow, quiet day to rest, renew, re-group, refresh. James writes, "be doers of the word and not hearers only" (1:22). It doesn't take much living with others to know that it is rarely what we say that speaks loudest; no, it's what we do. I suggest it's also what we do ... consistently! We all know doers - those who are marked by deep-seated commitment to ... doing. They are hearers but it's their faithful obedience that defines them. The rest of James' words are: "deceiving yourselves." Those who hear the word only and refuse to follow-through on what they've heard deceive themselves. They have knowledge but aren't willing to put it into practice; they really aren't obedient at all. Are you a hearer or a doer, or hearer and a doer? Everyone needs an occasional day to physically-emotionally-spiritual  renew, regroup and refresh but do not miss the joy of obedience that comes to those who consistently ... hear and do.