Faith without works is dead, according to the book of James. A lot of people have faith but don’t want to work. We think, “It’s too hard or too many people will look at me as if I am crazy.”

To walk out what God has called you to do, you must have thick skin, and I do mean thick. When I was a pew warmer, I was everybody’s friend. But then I stood up and said, “God, I will answer the call that you have placed on my life — whatever it takes.” After that, I looked around, and not too many people were with me anymore. Isn’t it strange that when people answer God’s call, they are usually left alone?

There are plenty of examples in the Bible of those who had no fanfare. They were just alone. It is then that you start to find out what faith really is. You must lean on God totally.

I think God sends us through the valleys for a lot of reasons. What do I mean by “the valleys”? Here’s an example: You find yourself without a job, wondering where your next meal is coming from or where you’re going to live. I know in my life, God served me some good old humble pie. He broke me — and I don’t mean only my budget. God broke me down to the point that I finally realized I’m nothing without him. And I would not trade that experience for anything.

Another reason God sends us through the valley is because when you are in the valley, you can only look up. God has your undivided attention. You will without a doubt hear his voice. And then, I believe, is when faith kicks in. You must believe what God is telling you and you must go. Remember, faith without works is dead. No matter how ridiculous it may seem, if God says do it, you must do it. If God says build it, you must build it.

People will be people and everyone has his or her opinion, but only one opinion truly matters: God’s. I have realized over the past few years that many people have an identity problem.They don’t know who they are in Christ, and life gets in their way. But when you find who you are in Christ and you have faith enough to go to work, watch out! Nothing can stop you — not even lack of funds or the support of a church. Because God doesn’t need either of those. He needs only you.

Randall Brown is the executive director and founder of Fusion Warehouse student center in Anderson.