Believe is an Action Verb

Sometimes the word "believe" seems so trite. How hard is it to believe in Santa or in humanity's ability to be awful? Belief seems easy. Believing looks like a one time giant step into something that will carry you forward without much work.  Believing looks like a "be" verb. Be verbs describe a state of being. Believe though is an action verb.
We had spent the day riding from Bikers, Blues, and Barbeque to Tallequah, Ok, with some friends. It was our second time to attend a memorial service held at a small Cherokee Baptist Church. The memorial was in honor of our friend's husband who had been instrumental in leading the pastor to Jesus.  After the ride, we retired to hotel rooms with the hardest beds west of Mena. That night God told me to get a big orange flame tattooed on my wrist. I thought "whatever". When we went to the church the next day, I told Michael what God had told me. He said "You aren't getting a tattoo on your wrist." I was content with that answer but somewhere deep inside, I felt that little tug.
Months went by and it became more obvious that it really needed to happen. I talked myself into getting a tiny flame in a slightly different place. A place where I could hide it when I needed to. A series of events occurred and I met up with the artist. I told him what I wanted.  Funny thing is, when he drew it, he drew what God had shown me originally.  So now, I have this giant orange flame tattooed on my wrist.
Belief requires daily renewal.  To believe that the Spirit is real when you're in a chapel filled with other believers singing praise songs is one thing. To believe that the Spirit is real when you're in a conference room filled with school officials in business suits is a little more difficult.  Believe is an action verb. Walking out in faith is more than just that first step. Its the steps that follow that can be the most tricky.
Fortunately we serve a God who never leaves us. We have a friend who is also the most high God, creator of the universe. He has sent His Son to save us and the Spirit to sustain us. Believe is an action verb and our Jesus gives us the energy to act on it.