Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. James 1:2-3 (New International Version)
Ah, there is that word again. Perseverance. I am beginning to detect a theme here! I have recently been delving into the book of James. I often read Scripture piecemeal (almost wrote “peace” meal – interesting slip of the fingers). I decided about a week ago or so, just to concentrate on the book of James: to read it, reread it, ask myself questions about it, and just be open to what I read.
I received a new Bible for Christmas (the old one literally taped together and falling apart) and retired all of my old notes scribbled in the margins. How refreshing it is to read and not have preconceived ideas about what the words I read might mean, according to another bible study, sermon, etc. I guess you could say I am studying James on my own for the first time.
“Consider it pure joy” – hard to do, huh? I know there are many times I fall short of this concept. I stop and confess it, and read on. “Whenever you face trials of many kinds.” The NASB says, “When you encounter various trials.” It is not “if”. It is “when”. “Because you know that the testing of your faith develops – Perseverance.”
“Testing of your faith.” No easy road promised here. The Bible I have divides the book of James up into interesting categories that I’d not seen before. After giving us the purpose for our testing, James goes on to tell us that there will be tests of obedience, tests of true religion, tests of brotherly love, and tests of good deeds. He describes the testing of our ability to control our speech. How sobering to realize that “there IS a test” – in fact more than one – on our spiritual walk.
In many ways I find this reassuring, though. God has prepared these tests for me, and has also given me the ability to “pass” them, when I rely on Him and Him alone. I feel as if God is scrutinizing me and saying “Who are you, deni?” “When you are all alone, and no one is there to watch or here, who are you?” “How will you respond?” “Do you love me?”
I begin to look at life through different eyes. It’s not bad luck. It’s not bad karma. It’s not fate, or kismet. It’s a test. And sometimes it might not be “my” test. I might be involved in someone else’s and not even know it. I may never know why the situation around me is happening, but I must focus on God, not the problem. God wants me to be “perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (James 1:4). He is able to use every situation in my life as a learning experience.
And I am called to meet each test with joy. Do I ever need to rely on God to be able to do that! My natural tendency is to grumble and grouse, much like the Israelites as they wandered in the desert – because of their lack of obedience. I realize day-by-day that I need God’s help to meet these tests. I learn that with Him, I can rise above the trials, trusting Him to bring me through. I wonder … is learning that part of the test?
I love hot air balloons. To me, they are a thing of joy. I love to watch a night glow - when the light the balloons at twilight. What if I were to view each trial as a lovely, bright hot air balloon opportunity to trust my God.
You know, I might be able to find that joy after all.
Father God, though we often do not understand or even like the events that are brought into our lives, I pray that we can look to You, lean on You, and trust You that everything is working to bring us to completion – so one day you can look upon us and say “Well done … My good and faithful servant.” Help us each to rise above the trials we are facing, and meet them with implicit trust in You and You alone. Amen and Amen. So be it Lord!