“Never confuse motion with action.”
— Benjamin Franklin

What interesting words to wake up to, especially in light of just beginning the new year. Of course, when I read those words I want to apply them to my walk as a child of Christ. First I must answer the question of the difference between “motion” and “action”. Hello dictionary.

Here is how m-w.com online in part defines MOTION and ACTION –
mo·tion (noun)
1. an act or process of moving
2. a movement of your body or of a part of your body

ac·tion (noun)
1. the bringing about of an alteration by force or through a natural agency
2. the manner or method of performing:
a : an actor’s or speaker’s deportment or expression by means of attitude, voice, and gesture
b : the style of movement of the feet and legs (as of a horse)
c : a function of the body or one of its parts
3. an act of will
4a : a thing done : deed
b : the accomplishment of a thing usually over a period of time, in stages, or with the possibility of repetition

Interesting. Reading those makes me think of the cliche “going through the motions.” Reflecting on my walk with Christ I must ask myself if in my walk I am actually doing something to draw myself or others to Christ, being ACTIVE, or just plodding along without making a true difference. There may be times when simply being in motion is good, but to do the work of God requires action–“the bringing about of an alteration”–something actually gets done, a life is changed.

Some scripture:

• “Even small children are known by their actions, so is their conduct really pure and upright?” – Proverbs 20:10-12, NIV
• “Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was powerful in speech and action.” – Acts 7:22, NIV
• “For I know your eagerness to help, and I have been boasting about it to the Macedonians, telling them that since last year you in Achaia were ready to give; and your enthusiasm has stirred most of them to action.” – 2 Corinthians 9:2, NIV
• “In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” – James 2:17, NIV
• “You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.” – James 2:22, NIV
• “Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” – 1 John 3:18, NIV

WOW! Reading those verses reinforces the differentiation inherent in Franklin’s words. Then looking at them through the lens of faith gives them even more power and motivates me to be clearer in my own thoughts and intentions–to be more intentional in my actions. By moving I will get into the path of others, but only by ACTION will I make a true and lasting difference. It’d be like playing tag and going through all the motion to find and get to the person but not actually touch them.

One thing I just thought of is at times a habit can become a motion as opposed to an action. If I come here to write, out of habit, I need God’s hand so my writing and thoughts are purposeful and not simply rambling. Intention can get lost in habit and therefore lose the power of transformative action.

“The most important thing of all to remember, is that God himself has a desire to speak to us, to me & you personally, to continue to transform and change our lives, to help us grow in faith, hope, and love, and to lead us into deeper union with His very self, and to share intimately in his very being.” – Br. Roch Mary

Today may God bless you toward actions which transform the lives of others and thereby your own life.