Journey of the Feet or of the Seat?

What an amazing summer! I saw the world's top ten beaches...sort of. Theoretically, I saw them, but not in actuality. The truth is I sat in my recliner one Saturday afternoon as the Travel Channel took me on a whirlwind tour. I was able to see the beaches, but I could not truly experience them. I could only look where the camera looked. I could only hear what the microphone picked up. The taste, smell, and feel of those beaches were out of my reach. Now, I could say that I have seen the world's best beaches, but I would be deceiving myself. If I rely on someone else to make the trip, he can give me the facts, but he cannot give me the experience. His journey can never impact me in the same way it did him.
It didn't occur to me how much I was missing until they did a story on Playa del Carmen. I have physically been to that beach. While I was there, I parasailed, laid in a hammock that was tied between two palm trees, and watched the monkeys, iguanas, and other cretures frolicking about. I was appalled that the things I enjoyed so much about that beach were not even mentioned in the show. It made me wonder what I missed out on in their coverage of the other beaches.
Sadly, some people build a relationship with God in pretty much the same way. They are content to allow someone else to do the work and then present God to them in a clean, neat package. Their knowledge of God is second-hand; they have never experienced him for themselves. They think they know God, but their knowledge of him is like my knowledge of those beaches...superficial. There is so much more to see, know, and experience. And yet, whether in ignorance, complacency, or apathy, these folks are not interested in putting forth the effort to grow.
The Hebrew people believe that true learning involves action. James 1:22 says, "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." Throughout the scriptures we are commanded to "walk in his ways," and to "give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord." We must commit ourselves to God. In order to do that, we have to move--walk in his steps, study every day, and purify ourselves just as he is pure (1 Jn 3:3). We cannot sit there and expect growth to just happen. Following God is not a journey of the seat. It is, however, a journey of the feet. Get up and go. Seek God with all your heart. Though it cost everything you have, get wisdom. It's time to get off the seat and get onto the feet. May God bless your journey.