We never expected to be theologically challenged by Brad Pitt during date night but here we are...

It is funny how the Lord works though... when we let our guard down and relax, it's almost like his truth or conviction can more easily get into our heads and hearts because we aren't pre-occupied with all the things we want or are worried about and our minds can wander freely. 

We were watching Moneyball which is not exactly the kind of movie you turn on for spiritual inspiration. Haha

But there is a moment in the movie where we both needed to sit with and talk about afterwards...

Spoiler Alert The whole movie is about building a winning baseball team in a completely different way. Instead of paying for the biggest names and chasing star players, they focused on what actually wins games. Runs. Scoring more runs than your opponent. They were focused on statistical averages of players rather than who sells the most jersey's. Stick with us. 

The scene picks up with Brad Pitt trading away all of his best players. It's not a good look. Even the teams he's offering the players too think he is tricking them because who in their right mind would do that?

His right hand man, the guy who came up with the idea of buying runs instead of players, pushes back at Brad’s moves. Basically saying, you're going to ruin your career doing this.

Brad Pitt looks at him and asks, “Do you really believe in this?”

He says yes.

Then Brad Pitt responds, “Then what are we talking about?”

And that hit. 

Because how often do we say we believe something… but live like we are not so sure?

We say we believe God is our provider.
But we live anxious and gripping everything tight.

We say we believe He is good.
But we question Him the moment things do not go our way.

We say we believe we are forgiven and free.
But we keep dragging shame around like it still belongs to us.

We say we walk by faith and not by sight.
But most of our decisions are still made by what feels safe and makes the most sense.

We love the idea of surrender.
We love the idea of trusting God’s plan.
We love the idea of bold faith.

Until it costs us comfort.
Control.
Reputation.
Security.

That is when belief can become a practice or it can stay an ideal.

Real belief produces movement. If we truly believe something, it shows up in our choices. In our conversations. In our mindset.

We are reminded of one of our favorite scriptures in Acts 4. While Peter and John were jailed for speaking about Jesus, the Sadducees commanded them to never speak of these miracles again, keep in mind, they just saw their Messiah murdered on a cross… and you know what they said back?

“¹⁹ But Peter and John replied, “Do you think God wants us to obey you rather than him? ²⁰ We cannot stop telling about everything we have seen and heard.”

If we really believe God is who He says He is, what would change in our week? 

Would we forgive quicker rather than carrying bitterness?
Would we give more freely knowing God loves a cheerful giver?
Would we step out in faith rather than overthinking everything?

The question of course isn’t “do you believe in God?” but rather “is there a disconnect between what I believe and how I live?”

If we really believed this was true…

What would we let go of?
What would we risk and go for it?
What would we stop tolerating?
What would we do differently?

Because if we truly believe it…

Then what are we talking about? Let’s live like it!

Love yall,

Chad, Tori, Micah, Noah & Ezra

P.s. Below are 3 ways we may be able to help or encourage you! Thank you for being a member of the Sunday Send! We love you & remember… you are God’s masterpiece!