Fan of Friday...I'm a fan of "Just Do Something," by Kevin De Young

This summer, after returning from Uganda with a fire for action ablaze in my belly, I met with our worship pastor and mission’s leader (one person, two jobs. we’ll call him Brian, because that’s his name) to discuss my future role in the place I had come to love. I didn’t know what I wanted to do, but I knew I wanted to do something, but then I got busy. The fire wasn’t extinguished but it became more like a smoldering ember than a four-alarm call to action. 

During that meeting, Brian pointedly asked, “Tonya, what do you want to do?” I used quotes, but in all fairness it could have been, “Tonya what is that you want to do.” Either way, he used my name, which seemed so authoritative and he asked in a way that almost demanded an answer; and I began to cry.  

I sputtered on with answers that were more inquiries than assertions. Really I just wanted him to tell me what to do, and even said as much. Through my tears I left Uganda and went big pictures, and though it was not his intention, I felt like I was being called out for all talk and no action.  

“women’s ministry?”

“speak?”

“I’m scared. I quit things. What if it’s all about me? What if it’s not His will? What if I quit this too?”

Brian, who always wants to “unpack” statements and know “what that looks like,” listened to my rambles and took in my reasons for complacency. To him, all my seemingly spiritual reasons for not moving forward were all about me. That I could put in quotes with confidence, because that’s what he said. It sounded profound, so I nodded in agreement – you know I could never appear to misunderstand the profound. Truth – I had no idea what he was talking about. How could it be all about me when I all I wanted to do was please my Jesus? The thing is, I knew he was right, but I couldn’t figure out how or why. 

Then I read about this book called, Just do Something. The title appealed to me immediately. The content is changing me. I finally understand what Brian was trying to tell me.

It’s a quick read, only 158 pages. Packed with Scripture, it will challenge you and cause you to think differently about the will of God. If you’ve ever wondered what God’s will is for your life, then read this book? If you’ve ever felt compelled to just do something, but feared that that something might be your idea and not God’s, then read this book. If you’ve ever felt like all your reasons for stagnation had more to do with you than with God, then read this book. Want to just do something with your faith? Do it. But also read this book.