The Power of Action

I believe that actions speak louder than words because a person’s actions can greatly influence his/her life. Character, which is defined as a person’s set qualities that make him distinct, is one human attribute that can be greatly affected by a person’s actions, because it is through his actions character is developed. Is that person a hypocrite or is that person true to his word? Will that someone take time out of their day to help someone else or will he say he will just to impress someone, because it is easier to say one thing and do another. Actions are important because unlike speech, it is easier to remember certain events rather than the words said at a certain point in time. This can be seen with criminals as well as saints because they are known for their actions, not necessarily the words they have spoken. Jesus, for example, is remembered for helping the poor, and OJ Simpson is remembered for murdering his wife.

Even though I am quiet, I have learned that I can greatly influence the world around me. The most prominent example of the power of actions was when I led a blind man to the bathroom. I was in second grade at the time and as I was getting a drink from the drinking fountain during our snack time, I saw a blind kid down the hall with a cane. He must have heard the drinking fountain running because he asked, “Excuse me, do you know where the bathroom is?” I said sure and led him no more than five yards to the bathroom door. He said thanks and then I went on my way. The miraculous thing was not that I had helped him but what happened a year or so after when I was eating at a pizza restaurant. I was eating my food when the same kid that I had helped recognized my voice and wanted to say thank you to me again and remind me of how appreciative he was. I was shocked because even though it had been over a year and he still remembered the good deed I had done.

Unlike words, actions have the power to greatly influence our lives. They have the ability to help build character, they impact the way people look at you, and they help make a great leader. Although words can still influence people just as Jesus’ parables did, most Christians remember Jesus’ good deeds and try to emulate them by thinking “What would Jesus Do?” You never know when your actions might affect someone, even if it is as simple as showing a person where the bathroom is: Now that is the power of action.