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Debriefing and Not Forgetting

Jerry Witham
Nov 12, 2007

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Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does. James 1.21-25

Since coming back from Africa this section in James has been on my heart. There are countless times in our lives that we are needing this section of Scripture as a reminder. In fact, we are truly confronted with this daily.

God wants us to be hearers of the Word, but not just hearers. His greatest desire is for us to be doers of the Word. James will say in another part of his letter, faith, if it has no works, is dead (2.17). Just because you have listened to the Word or read it does not mean a lot to James. He believes a true follower of Jesus should act on it. Jesus says in Matthew 7.20, So then, you will know them by their fruits. Mere knowledge is not what it is about. It is about a changed life according to Jesus. A life that produces good, Christ exalting fruit.

So when are we confronted with this? Anytime we read the Word of God or hear the Word of God taught we are placed with this choice to either just hear or do. Have you ever been to a Christian camp (maybe as a young student) and had a 'mountain high' experience, but when you came back things did not change or change for long? There are great weekend retreats, conferences, and other events that God grants to us and many times we have amazing experiences at these things, but where the rubber hits the road is when we get back. The point is life-change. Whatever God challenged you with He longs for you to put into action.

In Africa, God showed me many things that I need to change about my life. In Africa, prayer was literally my breath, my food and my drink. Back here in the states I can truly say that it is not that. It needs to be that. Too many times I rely on other things instead of praying. So, God showed me this, so as a faithful follower I must act and do. If not, I have just merely heard and missed out on God's best. Another thing God showed me is my need to share the gospel more often here in the states. This must change for me. I must have the same urgency here as I did there.

A week or so ago, my wife and I were flipping through the television trying to land somewhere and we happened to come across the Tyra Show. Now this is not a normal watch for us, but something caught our attention. Tyra was interviewing Alyssa Malano (former Who's The Boss star). What caught our attention was when Africa was mentioned in the interview. Tyra asked Alyssa why she was depressed after leaving Africa? The actress shared that while in Africa she served in a village helping with a medical team. She said while in Africa that she was different and when she came back to the states she realized she could not be the same as she was in Africa. This caused a severe depression for her.

We can be different! We can be changed! In Africa, God showed me things in the mirror (in His Law and in my life) that needed to change in my life. I can come back here and say, well I had to pray like that in Africa and it is easier to share my faith there as well. If I say that, I missed out on what God was trying to do. Too many times we want to change our surroundings to match the surroundings we had when things were different. The surroundings is not the issue though. The issue is our heart. God gives us the many encounters in His Word, at retreats, conferences, mission trips and other experiences to change our hearts, so that we will be different right where He has us at. Sometimes God will call us and turn our hearts to certain places when we encounter them. He will lead us to maybe pray or give to these places, but above all he wants to change us through these experiences. Otherwise, if we do supress what God is trying to do and change in us (the truth) we very well may become depressed. So, let's live a life of debriefing and not forget what God shows us along this journey!