Have you ever found yourself in a season of waiting—praying for answers, seeking direction, but nothing seems to move? You start to wonder: Is God holding me back? Or am I just afraid to take the next step?

The truth is, while faith involves trusting God, it doesn’t always mean sitting still. Sometimes, real faith means taking action—especially when the outcome is unclear. That’s exactly what we learn from one of the most dramatic moments in Scripture: when Moses and the Israelites stood trapped at the Red Sea.

When Faith and Fear Collide

In Exodus 14, the Israelites had just escaped slavery in Egypt. But now, they were stuck—mountains on one side, the Red Sea on the other, and Pharaoh’s army thundering toward them. Panic set in.

Moses, trying to calm the people, declared:

“Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today.” (Exodus 14:13)

It sounds like great advice: trust God and wait for Him to act. But the very next verse flips the script. God says to Moses:

“Why are you crying out to me? Tell the people to get moving!” (Exodus 14:15)

Wait—what? First Moses says, “Stand still,” then God says, “Get moving.”

Which one is it?

1. Faith Is Rarely Passive

This moment reveals something crucial about the nature of faith: it’s not always passive. In fact, throughout the Bible, God often moves after people step out in obedience.

• The Jordan River didn’t part until the priests stepped into it.
• Peter didn’t walk on water until he stepped out of the boat.
• The ten lepers weren’t healed until they started walking toward the priests.

The Red Sea didn’t part when the Israelites were standing still. It parted when they moved forward. God acts in motion.

Modern science backs this up. A study on decision-making and resilience shows that people who take action—even in uncertainty—build confidence and adaptability. In other words, moving forward doesn’t just get results—it builds faith.

2. Fear of Failure Can Keep You Frozen

One of the biggest reasons people stay stuck is fear. What if I make the wrong choice? What if I fail?

But here’s the thing—sometimes the only way to know what works is to try and fail. At SermonView, we embrace two core values: effective innovation and constant improvement. That means we aren’t afraid to fail—we know that every misstep teaches us something important.

Even the Apostle Paul didn’t wait for a perfect plan. In Acts 16, Paul sets out to preach in Asia, but the Holy Spirit redirects him. Then he tries Bithynia—but again, God says no. Paul kept moving, and God kept guiding.

If Paul had waited for step-by-step clarity, he might’ve never gone anywhere. But because he moved, he could be redirected. Sometimes you don’t get guidance until you take the first step.

3. Faith Requires Both Prayer and Action

Don’t get us wrong—prayer is essential. As Oswald Chambers said,

“Prayer does not fit us for the greater work. Prayer is the greater work.”

But there comes a time when prayer must lead to action. Moses cried out to God, but God responded with a challenge: “Why are you crying to me? Tell the people to move!”

Yes, we should bring our decisions to God. But let’s be honest—sometimes we already know the next right thing to do, and we’re just stalling.

Even your brain is wired for movement. Neuroscientist Andrew Huberman found that small steps toward a goal release dopamine, which increases motivation and clarity. That means sometimes clarity doesn’t come first—movement does.

As Henry Blackaby once said:

“You cannot stay where you are and go with God.”

So, What’s Your Next Move?

Faith means more than belief—it means action. You might not have the whole map, but that doesn’t mean you can’t take the next step.

Here are two questions to reflect on:

1. What is God calling you to move toward right now?
2. What small step can you take today, even before everything is clear?

Maybe it’s launching a ministry idea, reaching out to a friend, or making a difficult decision you’ve been putting off. Whatever it is, know this: faith isn’t the absence of uncertainty. It’s moving forward in spite of it.

Final Thoughts for Ministry Leaders

If you’re a pastor or ministry leader, thank you. Your work is not in vain. Even when you can’t see the results, God is using your efforts in ways you may never know this side of heaven.

Be strong. Be courageous. Lead boldly, knowing that God is guiding you—and your faith in motion is making a real impact.

Did This Encourage You?
Think of two people who need this message and share it with them today. And if you want to go deeper, check out our previous article on King Hezekiah’s 7 Keys to Effective Evangelism Marketing.

Stay faithful. Stay moving. God is already making a way.