Doing beats preaching

Reading the Bible gives diminishing returns rather quickly. Reading anything related to Christianity does too. The basics of how to be a good Christian are quite simple. You’re called to inner transformation.

Problem is, that’s not easy. It’s actually quite difficult.

Because of that, it’s appealing to read more. Reading feels like you’re doing something. But are you?

Right after I complimented a friend on his epic posture, I felt much more inspired to fix my own hunched-over position as I write this short piece. I’ve watched many videos on posture, and know mine is suboptimal. Yet seeing my friend’s posture inspired me way more to change.

Why?

An embodied idea is far stronger than an explained idea. Doing beats preaching. By a lot. A silent, good man can change far more people than a preacher with thousands of listeners.

Talk is cheap. Well…talk can be cheap. I do not underestimate the power of ideas. It is very useful to have ideas to get started. Ideas provide an aim, but it is action that hits the target.

But because it is difficult to do so, and somewhat scary to go out in this world and announce yourself a follower of Christ, I’ve retreated in the bunker. I’ve read books. I know a lot of things. It is only quite recent that I’ve started to act. Very imperfectly, but acting nonetheless.

The most important consequence of this is taking myself more serious in my pursuit. Merely thinking, knowing and speaking of an idea brings an empty kind of “change” with it. Actually embodying an idea creates a much deeper self-respect. A more real change.