My sister reminded me of something recently that I needed to hear.
She looked at me and said, “Prayer is an action.”
Now, that may not sound revolutionary to you, but it stopped me in my tracks.
You see, I am an action girl.
Need volunteers? I’ll find them.
Need an event planned? Give me a clipboard and a color-coded spreadsheet.
Someone is hurting? I’m already halfway to their house with a meal, a solution, and probably three backup plans.
I like to fix things. I like to help people. I like to make problems disappear.
Unfortunately…God and I don’t always have the same timeline.
Sometimes, before He’s even finished saying, “Sara…” I’ve already sprinted ahead yelling, “Don’t worry! I’ve got this!”
Spoiler alert: I usually don’t.
The older I get, the more I realize that some situations aren’t mine to fix. Some burdens aren’t mine to carry. Some hearts aren’t mine to change.
Because, as shocking as this may be…
I am not the Savior.
Jesus already filled that position, and He’s doing a much better job than I ever could.
I think sometimes I confuse movement with obedience. If I’m busy helping, surely I’m doing what God wants…right?
Not always.
Sometimes what He wants most is for me to stop.
To ask.
To listen.
To trust Him enough to let Him work before I charge in with my own brilliant ideas.
My sister was right. Prayer isn’t the thing we do when we can’t think of anything else. It isn’t the “waiting room” before we take action.
Prayer is action.
It’s choosing God’s wisdom over my impulses.
It’s admitting I don’t have all the answers.
It’s recognizing that God is already working in ways I can’t see.
James 1:19 tells us to be “quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” Lately, I’ve been wondering if I also need to become “quick to pray.”
Before I answer that email.
Before I have that difficult conversation.
Before I offer my opinion.
Before I try to rescue someone from the consequences that God might actually be using to grow them.
Before I assume I know what’s best.
Pray.
I’ve started asking myself one simple question:
Have I talked to God about this as much as I’ve thought about it?
If the answer is no, maybe I don’t need another plan. Maybe I need another prayer.
So this week, I’m challenging myself to hit the pause button a little more often.
Before speaking.
Before acting.
Before fixing.
Before rescuing.
Because while I may be an action girl, I’m learning that my best action is often to stop long enough to let God be God.
After all…He’s never once asked me to be the Savior.
He’s already got that covered.