Passive vs. Active

I am sure we all have heard the phrase “Passive vs. Active”.  We have been challenged in our school years.  We have been challenged in our relationships.  In our work places, work habits, study times, devotion times, and countless other times.  Then the question is “What do we do about this”?  Let me ask you, are you a passive person or an active?  Your answer is probably something like “what do you mean or in what topic”? 

Exactly!  There are times to sit back, be passive, rely totally on Jesus.  Then there are times to stand up strong, be active when He tells us to.  

Here are a couple of examples.  Hope!  This can go either way. We can be feeling distraught about losing someone we care deeply about. We search our hearts for comfort and hope.  But we find ourselves feeling helpless.  We cry out, Lord help me.  

What kind of hope is that?  It seems to me it is passive.  We do not have the strength within us to find hope.  It feels like everything is drained from us.  Those are the times to rely on the strength of Jesus.  And the hope He gives us.   This is passive hope. 

“We wait for Yahweh; He is our help and shield. For our hearts rejoice in Him because we trust in His name.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭33‬:‭20‬-‭21‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

This is one example of being passive.  Not having the strength to get up and take action.  Instead we can lean on Jesus.  Which is wonderful.  But there are times in our lives when Jesus has given us the tools and power we need to get up and move forward.  To take action.  He has given us the power and belief to stand firm, move out in faith and hope, take action and step forward into our victory. 

“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in Him so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭15‬:‭13‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

Also He has given us every tool we will ever need to take this active approach.  

“Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by His vast strength. Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the tactics of the Devil. For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens. This is why you must take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand.”

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭6‬:‭10‬-‭13‬ ‭HCSB‬‬ 

“Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest, and your  feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace. In every situation take the shield of faith, and with it you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is God’s word. Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert in this with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints.”

‭To put on the armor of God this is an active approach.   You may be thinking how do I put something like that on, physically?  Just because we do not hold it in our hands physically doesn’t mean we do not have possession of it.  Jesus has given us possession of the whole armor of God.  Spiritually.  When you pray and ask God to equip you, list those items and take hold of them.  Spiritually in your heart, in your mind, put every piece of armor on.  Stand firm holding that shield of faith, declaring victory in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.  And don’t forget to thank Him.  

I pray for you faithful readers that you feel an abundance of strength and power as you pray.  Whether it be passive or active.  It all comes from Jesus.