James 1:1-11
James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,
to the twelve tribes in the dispersion, greetings.
Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters,
when you encounter various trials,
for you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
And let perseverance be perfect,
so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
But if any of you lacks wisdom,
he should ask God who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly,
and he will be given it.
But he should ask in faith, not doubting,
for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea
that is driven and tossed about by the wind.
For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord,
since he is a man of two minds, unstable in all his ways.
The brother in lowly circumstances
should take pride in high standing,
and the rich one in his lowliness,
for he will pass away "like the flower of the field."
For the sun comes up with its scorching heat and dries up the grass,
its flower droops, and the beauty of its appearance vanishes.
So will the rich person fade away in the midst of his pursuits.
to the twelve tribes in the dispersion, greetings.
Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters,
when you encounter various trials,
for you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
And let perseverance be perfect,
so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
But if any of you lacks wisdom,
he should ask God who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly,
and he will be given it.
But he should ask in faith, not doubting,
for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea
that is driven and tossed about by the wind.
For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord,
since he is a man of two minds, unstable in all his ways.
The brother in lowly circumstances
should take pride in high standing,
and the rich one in his lowliness,
for he will pass away "like the flower of the field."
For the sun comes up with its scorching heat and dries up the grass,
its flower droops, and the beauty of its appearance vanishes.
So will the rich person fade away in the midst of his pursuits.
Reading these lines I find strength and then I heavily reflect. I find strength because... Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
It lets me know that bad days are coming. I remember as a young Christian I had this idea that because I believed that everything would be great because God would protect me from evil. I laugh now at my youth and misunderstanding. I realize that following God actually puts a big target on my back for evil.
But also in these lines I ponder where I am actually at now, not where I think I am but actually where I am... or the one who doubts is like a wave of the seathat is driven and tossed about by the wind. I wonder how much have I actually turned my life over to God. How much do I actually trust him. I will admit that I am far stronger in my faith than ever, but I still have moments where the world throws something great at me and I don't turn to God. Not all days, but most I spend my mornings in daily reflection. I think about the day previous and where I was with God. This allows me to see when I begin to step away. This helps me to stay on the path with God. I am rich, by the worlds standards and I fear about becoming that wilting flower. My life is so rich, even on the persecuted days that I do not ever want to leave God's side.
Jesus,
I love you above all. You guide and teach me to be a man full of love and compassion for out of that I find a peace like no other on this world. Thank you, but let's be honest, I'm kinda dumb sometimes and loose focus of the big picture. Help me when you see me looking away from you and my destination, my home, heaven. Help me to stay on the path. Help me to love with reckless abandon. Help me to love like you do. After all, NEVER have I had nails in my hands and feet. NEVER have I worn a crown of thorns. NEVER have I been beat, whipped or spit on, and even if I ever do. I want to wear that persecution proudly for you did so for me.
In Jesus Christ's name I pray,
Amen
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