Are you waiting for God to open doors?
“I’ll introduce myself to the new girl if she’s sitting alone at lunch.” “If I cross paths with my classmate who doesn’t go to church, I’ll know God wants me to tell him about Jesus.” “I’m not going to that college unless I get a full-ride.” “I’ll get a summer job if a position opens at my favorite boutique.”
Christians spend a lot of time waiting for doors to open, kind of like smartphone users always have their ears tuned to the ping of a new notification. And given verses like Psalm 27:14— “Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” —it seems biblical to wait on God’s timing, right?
But what if the call is for you to open the door? What if you’re waiting for God to present opportunities when what he really wants is for you to go out in faith and seize them yourself?
Let’s consider what it means to move forward in active faith.
Hey, I’m Lauren, author of YA Christian fiction and blogger for teens with higher aim.
In This Article
Active Faith vs. Passive Faith: A Parable
Jesus told a story in Matthew 25 that aptly demonstrates the difference between active and passive faith:
“For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money.”
Mathew 25:14-18
FYI, a “talent” was the monetary unit of the day. However, in the context of this parable, this word can be taken in its modern meaning. What we’re really looking at here are two guys who seized God’s blessings and moved forward in faith, and one who settled into passive reliance on God despite being equipped to do the work.
You might look at these three guys and think the one who buried his talent in the ground is just plain dumb. But stop and think. Have you ever done that with your own gifts?
You’re a musician, but you aren’t using your skills at church because no one asked you to. You know the answer to the tough question your teacher just asked, but you’re waiting for him to make eye contact with you before you raise your hand. You need to pay for college, yet instead of getting a job, you’re waiting for God to drop you a check. You have a friend who doesn’t know Jesus, but you’ve never had a faith conversation with her. You’re a single person of marrying age, waiting for Mr. Right to walk into your life.
Sound familiar? These are all situations where young Christians might find themselves idly waiting for opportunities to present themselves. Yes, there are times when God wants you to wait on Him. But “waiting on God” often becomes an excuse for idleness.
Active Faith: Follow the Example of Noah, et. al.
God doesn’t always operate through open doors. The doors of Jericho weren’t open when the Israelites were called to conquer it. Esther wasn’t issued an open invitation to approach the king on behalf of her people. And Noah’s call to obedience meant building an ark.
Imagine if he’d waited until the rain started, then told himself, “If a boat floats by, I’ll know God wants me to get on it and live.”
Hard to imagine, isn’t it? Had Esther said, “I’ll wait for the king to call me,” the Jews might’ve been slaughtered.
“Waiting on God’s timing” can easily become an excuse to get out of all sorts of unpleasant or scary tasks. “I’ll do x if God does y” can be translated to I don’t want to take the first step. “I won’t talk to ABC unless God does DEF” might be your heart saying I really don’t want to have that conversation at all so I’m hoping conditions are never right for it.
This is Your Calling!
Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” The call to obedience is a call for action! You were created and equipped to serve God with your mind and body, not to sit around and wait for opportunities to fall into your lap. (Speaking from experience, they rarely do.)
The call to obedience is a call for action.
Sometimes that means seizing opportunities. But most often, it means knocking on doors, jiggling doorknobs, or even busting through with a battering ram.
For years, I sent out my manuscripts and waited for doors to open. None did. Some would say that’s a sign I wasn’t meant to publish my books. But I believe my call to obedience means picking up the battering ram.
Acting on the Providence of God
Does this scare you a little? I totally get it. Active faith is scary because it means taking chances and possibly being wrong. But just because you act and fail doesn’t mean God didn’t want you to step out. Occasional failure might be part of his growth plan for you.
If you’re waiting for God to open doors, it could be that you’re looking for the wrong kind of providence. God has already provided. He’s given you faith. He equipped you with your gifts, talents, and abilities. Got the desire to serve him with your life? That too is from him. Now it’s time to put your faith into action and move!
Bible Verses About Active Faith
Give your active faith a boost with these Bible verses.
“Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”
Philippians 2:12-13
Notice this verse doesn’t say you’re supposed to earn your salvation. It’s referring to expressing your salvation through spiritual growth and action.
“For we walk by faith, not by sight.”
2 Corinthians 5:7
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”
Hebrews 11:1
You don’t need an open door as a sign that God wants you to act. Believe in His love and providence, and act in faith.
“What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works?”
James 2:14
Action is a sign that your faith is real.
Caution: “Active,” Not “Foolish”
After all that’s been said, don’t look at this blog post as a “sign” that God wants you to barrel forward with every idea that pops into your head. As with all things, action should be preceded by prayer and seeking guidance through scripture. Spend daily time in God’s Word. The better you know him and his will for you, the more you can know that your actions are done in faith, not foolishness.
Action should be preceded by prayer and seeking guidance through scripture.
Get Aligned With God’s Will!
Do you struggle with knowing God’s will for your life? These posts will help you learn how to know God—and, therefore, his will—better:
Stop Waiting For God to Open Doors!
What are you waiting for? Now is the time to prayerfully consider whether you are answering God’s call to obedience with all your heart. Get up, get moving, and may God bless your efforts to serve him!
Check out my post Life After High School: Just Pick Something and Do It! for more on this. Other posts that might help you out:
- What Does it Mean to Surrender Your Dreams to God?
- Does God Want You To Dream Big?
- “God Helps Those Who Help Themselves:” Myth or Real?
>>> Struggling with uncertainty about how you should be serving God? Shoot me a message and tell me about it. I’d love to pray for you.
You don’t have to have all the answers.
But, hey, why not?
Bring me your questions about faith, life, God, the Bible… and I’ll help you find the answers.