Have you ever heard the phrase, “Inaction is not an option?”
Our most recent guest on the Ask About My Faith podcast, Jeff May, is a chiropractor who loves to watch God move through his faith-forward natural healthcare practice that sees Jesus perform miracles in body, soul, and spirit. Keep reading to hear more about Jeff’s journey to becoming fearless in his faith!
Finding God at a Basketball Game
Jeff grew up in the middle-of-nowhere Nebraska, where church was a strong priority. Though Jesus wasn’t a foreign concept to Jeff, he didn’t have a personal relationship with God. During his sophomore year of high school, Jeff’s team lost a basketball game. Though frustrated with losing, one of Jeff’s teammates began to share Bible stories with the team, primarily providing hope with a Biblical lens on defeat.
This moment marked Jeff forever. After this experience at the game, Jeff began to attend youth group and got more curious about Jesus Christ – who He was and what He did. Jeff began to meditate on how Jesus died on the cross for his sins. The weight of God’s sacrifice and the image of the crucifixion caused tears to well up in Jeff. This intense gratitude for what Jesus did was a hallmark moment that continues to minister and anchor Jeff in his faith.
See our article: The Benefits of Gratitude
“Inaction is Not an Option”
Following his decision to follow Jesus, Jeff had an encounter where the reality of eternal life hit him like a ton of bricks. During a record snowstorm in his hometown, he and his friends began driving a bit recklessly in a parking lot for fun. While being silly with his friends, his perspective shifted as one of the girls in the car asked the driver to be more cautious, saying,
“Hey! You’ve got to be careful. I don’t want to die tonight because I don’t know if I’ll go to Heaven!”
After their time doing donuts in a snowstorm, Jeff visited his friend's dorm room and told her the reality of salvation that only Jesus offers. To his surprise, she was incredibly excited, eager to pray with Jeff, and she quickly received Jesus into her heart right there on the spot! To this day, this friend still loves Jesus and is serving faithfully as a nurse in her community, changing lives every day for the glory of God
Related Post: How to Share Your Faith Without Fear
A few years later, Jeff met his wife. The two married and Jeff finished up chiropractic school. At this time, Jeff’s soon-to-be father-in-law wasn’t too involved and was rarely in the picture, as substance abuse was a struggle for him.
The second time Jeff met his father-in-law was when they had discovered that he was in the hospital. They entered the room with humility, honor, and love, but they were greeted by Barley’s sour demeanor.
“I don’t know why you guys came here anyway!” Barely shouted at them, to which Jeff daringly replied,
“Barely, listen, I don’t know you from Adam, but I want you to know that your daughters came here tonight because they love you.”
Consistency is Key
The story between Barley and Jeff continues with their third meeting. To the family’s dismay, Barley was in the hospital again. The two started up a conversation when Barley asked if there was any way he could have his beard shaved. Jeff grabbed the razor, got the shaving cream, and humbly served his father-in-law.
We can’t help but recognize how much this moment between Barley and Jeff felt like the story of Jesus washing the disciples' feet. You can read the whole story of Jesus as the humble King who washes feet in John 13:1-17.
While finishing up his time at the hospital, Jeff confidently asked Barley:
“Have you ever thought about what happens to you when you die?”
Through resistance, conversation, and clarity, the two prayed and Barley gave his life to the Lord. A month later, Barley had a massive heart attack that took his life. God saved Barley’s life, using Jeff’s willing heart and courage to share.
Serving those around us creates an open door to share our faith. When we operate in humility, honor, and love, we are following in the ways of Jesus and squashing fear along the way.
Read more about becoming fearless in our article: Learning to Live Without Fear & Worry
Work as a Ministry
While in his career journey, Jeff realized that he was not built for crisis care, but rather the after-crisis care or let’s-prevent-a-crisis approach that prioritized natural health care. He became fascinated by how the body works and is wowed by the educated, intentional design that God gave to the human body.
Curious to know more about how God formed you? Read this iconic scripture: Psalm 139.
Jeff takes his vendetta against inaction to the office every day. In all his years of practicing, when Jeff asks if he can pray for a patient, he’s never had someone say, “No.” He prays for his patients right there, in his office, and sees his patients receive the love of God. He also empowers his employees through affirmation cards that are filled with Scripture.
Words of Wisdom from Jeff
As we learn to become fearless in sharing our faith, Jeff has some words of wisdom to keep us on God’s path, stay strong against inaction, and equip us to love others well!
Even if you’re afraid to share, share anyway.
There’s no point in being swallowed by fear when others around us need the message of hope, healing, and freedom that is only found in Jesus. Follow His leadership and trust Him for the rest!
Distraction and fear are not from God.
Division, distraction, and fear are not the works of God. Simply ask the Holy Spirit what you should do in a given scenario and don’t get caught up in your head.
Cultivate core values.
As you go about life, you’ll find that there are strong values that you live by. Find and cultivate the Biblical core values that you can prioritize remember – inaction is not an option!
