There are those who have the knowledge and the know how, but they don't succeed.

For although they know what to do and how to do it, they don't feel like doing it.

They are not inspired to action!

W. Clement Stone

What inspires you to action?

I don't know about you, but I can really relate to Mr. Stone's observation. For example, I really don't like driving to Amarillo, the closest large city to the little town I live in. It's only 35  minutes or so away, and though there are things that I can only do there, I still don't like going. Baseball, on the other hand, is something I enjoy. I loved playing it when I was young enough, I loved coaching it, and even enjoyed (if you can call it that) umpiring from time to time. There are still few things I enjoy more than watching a good baseball game. So, if you were to ask me if I would rather go to Amarillo, or watch a baseball game, the choice would be easy for me... unless there was something that compelled me to do the former rather than the latter.

It was about 25 years ago that this very "compulsion" occurred. I was involved with a baseball game in our little town as an umpire one minute, and in the next I was rushing to Amarillo. What could have caused this sudden change? Well, my wife came to the ballpark with the news that our four year old daughter had taken a fall at her grandparent's house and was crying with pain. As you might well imagine, I left in a hurry, we grabbed our daughter and sped towards the hospital where we found that she had suffered a broken collarbone. Not a big deal, but one that had to be checked out and taken care of immediately, and we did just that. I still have no idea how many traffic laws I violated on the way to the hospital, but I can tell you that I hadn't the slightest concern for the ticket I might get (well, maybe I had a little) for my biggest concern was getting my daughter to someone who could help her as quick as possible.

So, what's the point? Just this: I left something that I loved to do for something that I preferred far less because I was inspired to action! I believe that all parents can relate to this, as can anyone who has loved ones they care deeply about, because that bond of love will cause us to do things we would normally prefer not to, if that is what the situation calls for.

Now, think about this question: How many times do we ignore the needs of those we care about for the simple fact that we do not feel inspired to action? All decent people despise the child abuser, but how many times do we abuse our children's spiritual welfare for the simple reason that we simply don't see the urgency of their relationship to God. Because of this, we would often rather stay at home on Sunday, rather than ensure that they (and us) are in Bible class and the worship. We wouldn't dream of letting them go a day without eating, but how many days and weeks go by without our feeding them the spiritual food of Bible reading and prayer?

This is odd, because we realize that their eternity is far more important than their physical years here on earth... or do we? The fact is that we have all been guilty of placing concerns for our children's physical well-being over their spiritual. One of the saddest things I witnessed through this Covid era in which we live is that of parents keeping their healthy kids from the worship, "just to be safe" in case they might get sick there. Those of us who have children have all been guilty of putting too much emphasis on sports and academics (important things to be sure) but not nearly enough emphasis on their spiritual endeavors.

The fact is, until we obtain a proper perspective between the temporal and the eternal, we will continue to make mistake after mistake that could in the long run prove to be fatal. We need to become "inspired to action" when it comes to the spiritual lives and well being of ourselves and those we love. But, how can we do this? How can we acquire the commitment we need towards this vital perspective? We have to have the proper motivation! Just as I knew that it was time to leave the playing of games to go and take care of my little girl's physical needs, we all must know when it is time to leave the "playing of games" behind and commit ourselves to that which is of the utmost importance. Perhaps this passage will help, because it shows what happens when we get God involved in the process of becoming inspired to action:

Commit to the LORD whatever you do and your plans will succeed.

Proverbs 16:3, NIV

What inspires you to action?