Caleb Mechem
What am I doing?
“Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” James 2:17
I don’t want a dead faith or even a nice, healthy faith. I want a faith that never stops growing. As I close my eyes to go to sleep each night, I want to be able to recognize the specific ways that my faith has grown that day, and I want to question how I ever survived with the mere faith I had the day before. I want to, every day, follow Jesus more closely than I did yesterday.
So how do I make that happen? Well, I don’t, of course, without the guiding hand of the Holy Spirit, but James gives me some pretty good advice in his letter. When I ask, “How can I grow in my faith?,” James responds, “Act it out!”
So that’s what I’m doing, moving into the inner-city for a year when a lot of people who love me want me to go back to school. I’m going to act out my faith in a place that could really use more followers of Jesus translating their faith into action.
Rich Mullins sings something to the effect of, “faith without works is like a song you can’t sing.” That’s pretty beautiful isn’t it? My faith IS a song! It’s a really great song! But what good does it do the world if I never let that song out of my head? It’s easy for us Christians to pretend we love everyone that we haven’t met, but what good is love if no one receives it?
God shows the world His love by leading His followers to people who need to receive it, and I believe that God is leading me to Mission Year. I pray that He will use me to share His love.
To sing His song.
I hope that you’ll pray for me too.
About Mission Year
Mission Year is a year long urban ministry program focused on Christian service and discipleship. We take teams of young people, place them in an area of need, and help them to serve people and create community. We are committed to the command of Jesus to “love God and love people,” by placing the needs of our neighbors first and developing committed disciples of Christ with a heart for the poor. Learn more about our first year program…
Caleb Mechem's Blog
Only 825 Miles to Go / Aug 30, 03:37 PM
I’m leaving this morning; soon enough I’ll be doing instead of planning, which will be a welcome change of pace.
Thanks to all of you who have prayed for me, encouraged me, donated money and asked questions. I’ve been moved to tears more than once over the past couple weeks, as I’ve felt your prayers and counted my blessings.
I hope you’ll continue to be my partner throughout this crazy year.
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