From the outside, the Bletchley Park estate gave every impression of a gentle and well-heeled, idyllic English home – which was exactly why Admiral Sir Hugh Sinclair purchased the property in May of 1938.
Only Sinclair, who was head of Great Britain’s Secret Intelligence Service (SIS or MI6), didn’t buy the Gothic Tudor mansion for its luxury or promise of leisure. Instead, he bought it as an unassuming location to house and host “codebreakers” – individuals tasked with deciphering intercepted enemy messages that threatened the country’s sovereignty and safety.
It was from Bletchley Park on October 21, 1941, that a now famous letter arrived on the desk of Sir Winston Churchill. The Codebreakers were pleading with the prime minister for more personnel and resources.
Holding the letter in his hand, Churchill decided quickly. They would receive what they wanted and needed. To punctuate the affirmation, Churchill affixed to his order a red label that would be used throughout the duration of the war. It read:
“ACTION THIS DAY!”
In some ways, as Christians, we’re the metaphorical “codebreakers” of our day. The average American looks at a screen seven-plus hours a day, consuming upwards of 200,000 words worth of information, whether via reading, hearing or seeing. This amount of information has doubled from the 1980s, which was pre-internet.
Admittedly, the information may not come over the transom in literal code, but it may just as well. There’s an ever-raging battle of worldviews going on, and it’s being waged both overtly and covertly.
Whether it’s ignorant or malicious false accusations of being “Christian nationalists,” out-of-touch and heartless pro-lifers, old-fashioned and bigoted believers in two genders, or narrow-minded champions of parental rights, there’s an ongoing effort to silence believers.
The secularists don’t want us to take action on our convictions today, tomorrow, or ever. They want us to cede our rights and responsibilities. Fall in line with the spirit of the age – or fall out of favor with the elites of the day.
James, the half-brother of Jesus, warned about inaction. He tells us we’re to be “doers of the Word, and not hearers only” (1:22). Later in his letter, he asks rhetorically, “What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works?” He continues: “Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and filled,’ without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead” (2:14-17).
In a moving scene at the Last Supper, Jesus washes the feet of His disciples, demonstrating for them true service. “Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them,” He tells them (John 13:17). The apostle Paul doesn’t just reflect on having convictions – he acknowledges the need to take action, famously stating, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Phil. 4:13).
What can we do as Christians in a culture that seems to be slipping away and into the hands of people with “reprobate minds” (Rom. 1:28)?
More than we’re doing.
As Christians, we’re called to be active members of a local church body (Hebrews 10:25). We should be generously sharing our resources with the church, and with others as the Lord leads us. We should be looking for opportunities to help others in need, and there is no shortage of opportunities.
Churches need Sunday school workers, charities can often only operate thanks to volunteers, and local sporting organizations need coaches, officials, and various resources.
Pregnancy resource clinics need more than financial resources. They need older women to counsel younger women (and older men to do the same for younger men). They need people to organize and fold clothes, distribute diapers and formula, and cut the grass and clean the carpet in the facility.
Over one hundred thousand children in foster care are in need of a forever home – and foster parents will often benefit from a break. “Respite care” is an excellent way to serve and help children without taking on a long-term commitment.
We often complain about elected representatives, but have you ever thought of running for office yourself? School boards need Christians, as do local governments and agencies. Maybe the Lord is calling on you to take a chance and throw your hat in the ring to serve.
“I never worry about action, but only about inaction,” quipped Churchill.
World War II was won because good people took wise action. We’re called to do the same, even “ACTION THIS DAY.”
Image credit: Shutterstock and International Churchill Society
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