Know it. Feel it. Do it.

At church on Sunday Esther said: ‘It’s absolutely fine to intellectually know that I need to be still in the storm and that God is my help and refuge, but what does that mean on Wednesday when something particularly stressful happens…?’

Esther went on to answer her question excellently. I mused further…

I grew up in a church where what I believed, what I ‘intellectually knew’ was important… Some Christians emphasise their relationship with God… experiencing Him, feeling his presence; others emphasise activity, serving others, ‘ministry’.

The Christians that have inspired me, are well balanced in their beliefs, experience and service. They Know it. Feel it. Do it.

Squirrels know they have the physical ability to hang and access peanuts in our bird feeders. They feel hungry – it’s breakfast time! They come into our garden and feed.  Know it. Feel it. Do it.

A leaflet advertises a charity – ‘Railway Children’. Never heard of it! ‘A child arrives alone at a station in India every five minutes.’ I read… vulnerable children subject to violence… abuse, sexual exploitation… I gain knowledge.

…forced marriage, child labour, victimisation… I start to feel the plight of these children. …the need for care, shelter, protection, money… Action’s required. ‘Railway Children’ wants me to Know it. Feel it. Do it.

Will started coming to church recently. He was living in local supported accommodation. Several folk got to know him, his story, life experiences, how he’d become homeless…

Will longed for a place of his own. His new friends felt his needs, desires, hopes… Will was offered a lovely flat. His friends helped him move in, made sure he had all he needed, checked up on him… Know it. Feel it. Do it.

And the answer to Esther’s question – about God’s help strength and peace on a stressful Wednesday?… It’s about knowing as truth in my head, feeling it as reality in my heart and living it out by faith in my life. Know it. Feel it. Do it.