“Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies.” – Mother Teresa
Happy Good Friday, Brew Nation!
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Imagine this: my week’s travel plans suddenly shifted, placing me back in my home office. Then came an unexpected invitation from my pastor—not just to attend the Maundy Thursday service, but to participate, to embody Jesus’s act of humble service by washing the feet of others. Whoa. Way outside my comfort zone. My mind raced with a thousand reasons to politely decline.
But as I wrestled with the invitation, praying and reflecting, I was struck by the stark difference between faith and faithfulness. It’s one thing to believe in the power of service, to understand the symbolism of humility. It’s another thing entirely to kneel before someone, to touch their feet, to put that belief into practice.
This moment wasn’t just about theology; it was a personal challenge. Would I merely profess my faith, or would I live it? Would I remain comfortably on the sidelines, or would I step into the arena of action?
This week, as I reflected on the difference between faith and faithfulness, I realized how often we hold onto beliefs, hopes, and visions without translating them into action. Faith, the unwavering trust in something unseen or beyond proof, is essential. But it’s only the starting point. Faithfulness, the consistent action and loyalty that stems from that faith, is where the magic happens.
Now, let’s be clear: while faith and faithfulness are often associated with the spiritual realm, its principles apply to every aspect of our lives. We have faith in a new workplace strategy, faith in a loved one’s recovery, faith in a trainer pushing us beyond our comfort zone. But, make no mistake, I have listed Faith as a core value of mine because of my belief in God. It was the definition, though, of faithfulness, that challenged me as to whether it was really that word that I valued the most. Just like the Apostle Paul urged in Philippians 4:8, we choose to ‘think on things that are true, noble, right, excellent, and praiseworthy’—this is faith. But then, in Philippians 4:9, he commands us to ‘put it into practice’. To embody those beliefs. I believe that 4:8 without 4:9 leaves us with results that are far short of our potential in business, leadership, relationships, and health, among others.
Faith without faithfulness is a seed that never sprouts, a promise that’s never kept, a song that’s never sung, a book that’s never written and published. Faith alone, while important, falls short. Think of two oars on a boat. Without both, you’re just spinning in circles. Faith and faithfulness are like those oars—interdependent, essential for forward movement.
So, what keeps us from turning our beliefs into tangible actions?
- Unworthiness/Lack of Confidence: We doubt our ability to execute, fearing we’ll fall short.
- Apathy: We lose our drive, allowing inertia to take over.
- Analysis Paralysis: We overthink, becoming trapped in a cycle of planning without acting.
- Past Disappointments: We’ve been let down before, making us hesitant to trust again.
To transform our beliefs into a lived reality, we must:
- Set Clear Goals: Define the destination, the fruit that will be gained and not just the seed being planted.
- Seek Coaching/Mentorship: Find someone who can guide and encourage us along the way.
- Establish Accountability: Invite others to hold us responsible for our actions.
- Understand Your “Why”: Connect with the deeper purpose behind your goals, fueling your commitment.
- Execute Disciplines: Turn intentions into consistent, daily actions.
- Practice Patience: Faithfulness isn’t always about immediate results. It’s about staying the course, even when the process is slow and challenging.
- Celebrate small victories: Each completed task is a step in the right direction, a step closer to the final goal.
Faith is the vision, faithfulness is the execution. It’s the daily, disciplined work that brings our beliefs to life. It’s the bridge between what we hope for and what we achieve.
And now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got some feet to wash. Here’s to turning our beliefs into action, one humble step at a time.
Being successful as a leader requires intentional leadership habits. That’s why I developed the Ideal Week template – a tool that helps me identify disciplines and habits needed for success and allocate the necessary time. It guides you through planning your ideal week, ensuring you dedicate time to the activities that bring you closer to your goals.
Want to give it a try? Email me at [email protected] with the words ‘IDEAL WEEK’ in the subject line and I’ll send you a copy of the Ideal Week template complete with a sample to get you started!
- Quote of the week:
I do not want to die… until I have faithfully made the most of my talent and cultivated the seed that was placed in me until the last small twig has grown. – Kathe Kollwitz, German artist
What You Need to Do:
Call to Action: Brew Nation, where is there a gap between what you believe and what you are actively doing about it? Remember, faith and faithfulness aren’t opposing forces; they are two sides of the same coin, each essential for a life of impact. This week, identify one area where you can intentionally close that gap. What belief are you ready to bring to life through consistent action?
It’s an honor to be your trusted “Friday Coffee Guy”. Each week, I’m excited to provide yet another round of curated content that I’ve been reading, listening to, watching, or thinking over. The purpose of the Champions Brew is to inspire, equip and encourage you to become the uncommon leader you were designed to be. I am so grateful for your decision to invest a few moments with me! I hope you enjoyed this week’s edition of Champions Brew. If you did, I would appreciate it if you would share it with someone who might enjoy it as well and ask them to subscribe! I will make sure they automatically get this email every week.
Until next time, Go and Grow Champions!
P.S. – Are you a podcast fan? Maybe the Uncommon Leader podcast is for you. Are you interested in being a guest on the Uncommon Leader Podcast? Do you have a story to tell? Email me [email protected] and let’s have a chat and set something up!!
