College and a life of provision were never intended to be career choices, but for preparation - to make of ourselves a contributor in the marketplace of life.

Christians are in some respects a lot like doctors and nurses who are trained to help heal, and are equipped with knowledge and skills to do service. But once they go into the hospitals they actually leave their studies and run tests, examine patients, prescribe medicine, advise, set broken bones, stitch and dress wounds, perform surgery and numerous other procedures. They practice what all of their training has enabled them to do.

Suppose you visited a hospital where the beds were filled with desperately sick people but you could find no nurses or doctors. You search the halls and see only janitors and food service personnel. Finally you go into some offices and meeting rooms and find numerous medical staff. They’re gathered in small or medium-sized groups, or sometimes by themselves. When you open the doors they look up from their notes or their books with a curt, ‘Yes, is there something you want?’ expression on their faces.

Somewhat astonished, and fully incensed, you say, “What the hell are you doing in here?”

“Well, they reply, we’re doing what we do every day. We’re continuing our education. We’re studying the latest medical technology, the newest drug treatments, and the exciting trends in patient care. You can never be too well prepared. Our profession demands that we keep our edge - to ever grow in knowledge and understanding. People depend on us, you know?”

Seems like a silly illustration, perhaps, but can you see any parallels in the way many Christians ‘do’ their faith?

When people encounter Christ Jesus they are set free from sin and given new life. The Holy Spirit is released into the new believer to bear witness to Christ. By the Spirit they are equipped, empowered, and commissioned to represent Him. Essentially, to show and tell the good news.

Just like in the Bible, Christians are to take what was freely given to them and give it away - heal people, deliver them from bondage and torment, mend their broken hearts, and declare freedom from the guilt and shame of their bad deeds. In so doing, God gets to be seen and understood because you made Him plain.

Now suppose you asked an unbiased observer in our American culture how Christians act out their Christianity. What do you think he or she would say? It might go something like this: ‘Even sincere Christians appear much like everyone else in how they use their time and resources. They spend about 90% of their religious activities simply reading the Bible, talking about the Bible, reading ‘spiritual’ books, listening to preachers in church or on radio or TV, talking about what other people say about the Bible, and ‘doing’ church. Occasionally they'll have weekend retreats or go to faith-building conferences.

Do you know many Christians who've been equipped, trained, and sent, who now do the very same works that Jesus and the early believers did? To heal, to set free, to proclaim the good news that Christ is risen from the dead? How many put on their armor and wield the sword of righteousness to destroy the works of the devil in their homes and communities and work places? How many even believe that the peace, prosperity and welfare of every person, village, and city would thrive under the Lordship of Jesus Christ?

Talking and studying about the faith that is alive within us is like the doctor who sits down at his desk to study more deeply about diseases. His intelligent conversation is regarded by colleagues. His years of training and skill remain theory as he trots off to speak at seminars and attend medical conferences. All the while the sick languish in misery and torment in his own facility.

Is there a word for a doctor who doesn’t ‘doc?’ Unemployed.

Time to roll up our sleeves . . . work to be done, and all that.