3 Ways to Practice Shema This Week
Let’s talk about comfort zones. We all have them. And when it comes to following Jesus, comfort is often the biggest obstacle we face. Not sin. Not Satan. Just… comfort.
We say things like, “I’m not ready”, or “I’m not confident enough to talk about Jesus yet,” or “I’ll step up once I have more time, more knowledge, more peace.” But let’s be honest—those are excuses wrapped in soft language. We’re not called to wait until we feel brave or ready. We’re called to obey.
Obedience doesn’t wait for ideal conditions. It doesn’t ask for your permission. It just asks for your response.
Now here’s where things get biblical and real. In English, hearing is passive. But in the Bible, especially in Hebrew, it’s different. The word shema doesn’t just mean “hear”. It means to hear and respond. To truly listen is to act. There is no separate word for “obey” in ancient Hebrew— because shema already includes and implies it.
Shema isn’t about information. Shema is about transformation.
God Himself hears like this. Exodus 2:24 says He heard the cries of His people—and He moved. He acted. Psalm 34:17 tells us when the righteous cry out, the LORD hears—and delivers. God's listening is never neutral. It leads to action. That’s what shema means.
And it’s what God expects from us.
Exodus 19:5 says, “If you will shema my (God’s) voice and keep my covenant, you’ll be my treasured possession”. And 1 Samuel 15:22 hits hard: “To obey is better than sacrifice.” Translation? God isn’t interested in our lip service or good intentions. He’s looking for lives that move in response to His voice.
Jesus builds on this in Matthew 7:24–27 when He wraps up the Sermon on the Mount. Two people hear His words. One acts. One doesn’t. One life stands. One falls. And here’s the sobering part: both heard. The difference wasn’t information—it was obedience. One shema-ed. One didn’t.
Jesus said something shocking—and He meant every word.
If you’ve known me for a while, you know I’m not about playing Christian. I’m about helping people move forward in their faith and grow so they can go. I don’t like watching people sit on their potential, talk around their calling, or stay stuck in fear just because it’s more familiar than obedience. I like helping people get comfortable with being uncomfortable. God gave me something—this sixth sense, this inner nudge—to see potential in people before they see it in themselves. I’m a coach at heart, always have been. Whether in kettlebell gyms, church leadership, or discipleship conversations. I’m here to help people grow, stretch, and take ground they didn’t think they could.
Fear will always hold us back. Faith is what moves us forward.
Remember, Jesus said all we need is faith the size of a mustard seed (Matthew 17:20). We don’t need a lot of faith to grow. We only need a little and just go.
Growth never happens in our comfort zone.
I believe the Holy Spirit wants to shake people awake and wants to do it to you right now. He wants to give you greater purpose in your calling because of your obedience. If we wait until we feel ready, we’ll never move. The early church didn’t wait. Acts 2:42–47 shows us a raw, Spirit-filled, activated community. They didn’t debate strategy. They obeyed Jesus. They gathered. Prayed. Gave. Shared. Witnessed. They did the thing.
I used to be far from Jesus. I walked away, lived wild, and ignored the truth I was raised with. But someone spoke the Name of Jesus to me again right when I needed to hear it. They didn’t wait for the perfect time. They stepped in and just obeyed God’s nudge. The Spirit grabbed me, shook me, and pulled me back.
And now? I’m all in to help others break free from spiritual paralysis because I have seen first hand how obedience changes lives. It changed mine and I absolutely believe in miracles because of what God did in me.
Look, there are plenty of days I don’t feel like doing what I know I’m supposed to do. I get it. Life can be hard. Truth! But I believe we shouldn’t make decisions based on our feelings. We should make them based on who we’re becoming through trusting in how God is moving in us. Former Navy Seal turned business coach, Jocko Willink says, “Discipline equals freedom.” And it’s so true. It’s not just about workouts or leadership. It’s about your walk with Jesus. The freedom you’re looking for is found in the decision to act—especially when you don’t feel like it.
So here’s your challenge:
Stop waiting.
Stop making excuses.
Stop hiding behind comfort.
Stop allowing fear to guard your faith.
Stop confusing hearing with obeying.
Start living the life of shema.
Start stepping up by stepping out.
Start moving and decide to go!
You’ve got more in you than you realize and I’m here to help you find it, speak it, and live it. God’s voice is speaking. The only question is: will you shema?
Here Are 3 Ways to Practice Shema This Week:
1. Speak up.
Bring Jesus into one real-life conversation. Don’t wait until it feels safe or polished—just be faithful and trust the Spirit.
2. Move your feet.
Say yes to something you’ve been resisting or afraid to do. Sign up. Show up. Serve. Even if it scares you—especially if it does.
3. Turn intention into action.
What’s one thing you know God has already asked you to do? Now’s the time. No more thinking about it. Just do it. Let’s go!
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