Have you ever sat down to watch a movie with someone who wants to know how everything turns out? Annoying aren’t they? That’s classic me. I can’t stand surprises. TLC would hate me because Life Unscripted to me is frightening. I like routine and I like to be prepared.
The last few weeks have launched a new season for me. While there are some interesting, challenging, and even exciting, things to come, the words “brace yourself,” keep bubbling up in my spirit, heart and mind. There are some difficult things going on in various areas of my life and they are all things in which there is no way that I can foresee how they will turn out. Given that they are all going on at the same time makes these trials seem even more significant than they probably are. Uncertainty is not my friend. BUT, I’m trying to embrace it.
James 1:2-4 reads, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
My nature asks, “When will this perseverance be finished and what will it look like when it’s complete, and - oh yes – what type of trials are we looking at here?” It’s the word pure that stumps me all the time. I’ve been rereading some of my past journal entries (this can be very dangerous). There were quite a few entries which were of the “pick me, Lord” nature – you know like: “here I am, Lord”; “use me for whatever you need me for, Lord”; “transform me, Lord.”
It didn’t take me long to realize what a whiner I am. I jump onto the altar full tilt and then as soon as things get a little bit dicey I jump off, “Oh, Lord – please remove this situation from my life.” HELLO!! Am I making God’s head spin? Am I giving Him whiplash? It seems that my joy is diluted rather than pure. Oh, wait! Was I trying to get through these trials on my own steam? There I go trying to get an advanced copy of the script again.
Sometimes all you have to do is read the next line: “If any of you lacks wisdom he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault and it will be given to him.” Sometimes, all you have to do is pray; God, help me to consider these trials pure joy that you might receive all the glory.
