Today's Reading:
James 1,2,3,4,5
Scripture
"Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.
If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind." (James 1:2-6)
Observation
I couldn’t resist the catchy title this close to Christmas! James has many important lessons for us in his book, written to Jewish believers scattered abroad. For me, the lessons on testing, endurance, and wisdom are so relevant and needed. Now, maybe more than ever before, I need to be reminded that God is in control and everything that I face and experience has purpose, it gives me a chance to grow, so, let it grow, let it grow, let it grow. I want to be a man of faith, I want others to know me as one who has great faith, but wanting that is a dangerous thing because the only way to grow my faith is having it tested in order to be stretched. If my goal is comfort and convenience then I will not grow. If all I want is to exist with no conflicts and obstacles, then my faith will never be tested, but if I want to be strong in the Lord then I must be tested and pass the tests.
Application
My good friend is in training to become a firefighter. I hear many stories of the testing both in the classroom and in the field. With so much on the line, these people are put through the wringer both physically and mentally. He told me about an upcoming test where they will be in very close proximity to a raging fire. They will be somewhat protected but close enough to observe the characteristics of a live burn in a room. They will feel the effects of 600-degree heat, it’s so hot that portions of their fire suits don’t shield them completely. Tested by fire, literally. He’s excited by it and I’m glad because he should be a fireman, he loves that stuff, I, on the other hand, don’t feel the need to be tested in quite that same way. But tests prove us, tests prepare us. I mustn’t be afraid of tests; I mustn’t avoid tests. They are necessary for my growth and as my endurance develops, I will walk more closely with God.
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, I’m sorry when I choose comfort over endurance. I’m sorry for taking the path of convenience rather than growing my faith. I want to serve You well and represent You to those around me. It’s a dangerous prayer, but help me to grow into the man that You want me to be. In Jesus name, Amen
