Skip to main content
My brothers and sisters, think of the various tests you encounter as occasions for joy. 
After all, you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance.
Let this endurance complete its work so that you may be fully mature, complete, and lacking in nothing. 
James 1:2-4 CEB
Some translations of the Bible use words like "trials of many kinds", but the word James uses is "peirasmos" which means "an experiment, a trial, temptation", and it's usage is 
(a) trial, probation, testing, being tried, 
(b) temptation, 
(c) calamity, affliction.
And his context is that it's like going to the gym, running uphill, pushing testing, challenging our faith that strengthens it is what this is all about. 
This is not some general instruction to absorb any pain, hurt, abuse, suffering or loss with some kind of "joy". 
In a faith sense it's like saying I can usually run 5km, but today I need to run 6km. 
James doesn't want us to avoid the faith challenges that grow our faith muscles. 
This might be wrestling with a difficult passage or idea about God. 
It might be wondering how to humbly restore a damaged relationship.
It might be to serve others in some way, and not be recognized or thanked.
There's a joy in the discovery and the exhaustion of running the 6th km.
#James
#itsaheartthing 
#Godsgym

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

...four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a mat. They couldn't bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, so they dug a hole through the roof above his head. Then they lowered the man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus... Mark 2:3-4 NLT Great account of inventiveness and determination to get their friend to see Jesus. Love this. Do you wonder about the back story? Are these the same 4 people who bring this man food? Take him to the toilet every day. Clean him up. Does he live with one of them? Are they family? Are there whole families or groups of people in the background who have supported and cared for this man? A group of children who grew up seeing their parents love in action? Probably. Healing Help Hope These things are found in community. These 4 guys are the heroes here. The upfront people. One day it will be interesting to see who the background heroes are. #loveinaction #community #inthistogether #walkingeachotherhome #gospelofmark
Post a Comment
Read more
Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation,  for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can't see - such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him. Colossians 1:15-16 NLT OK so this is an English translation of a letter Paul wrote to a church 2,000 years ago, but does it feel like Paul is wrestling with words and ideas to try and capture all of who Jesus is, of who God is, of how does it work that the walking around Jesus was also there before the beginning of the beginning of everything we can see and touch and know. Not only that but Jesus was somehow the agent of everything that has been made in the physical, social, and spiritual.  Jesus is at the centre of it all.  Walking around Jesus. Cooking fish for breakfast Jesus. Heart aching as he ...
Post a Comment
Read more
Over and over God rescued them, but they never learned - until finally their sins destroyed them. Still,  when God saw the trouble they were in and heard their cries for help, He remembered his Covenant with them, and,  immense with love,  took them by the hand. He poured out his mercy on them while their captors looked on, amazed. Save us, God, our God! Gather us back out of exile So we can give thanks to your holy name and join in the glory when you are praised!  Blessed be God, Israel's God!  Bless now, bless always! Oh!  Let everyone say Amen! Hallelujah! Psalms 106:40-48 The Message. This song is about our God who never gives up on His people.  The people He loves.  He never gives up on us. He never gives up on you.  This psalm also repeats again and again how one person stood for the people, stood in the gap, all previews of Jesus, who stood in the gap for all of us. Our God never gives up. And He made a way. That's why He is worthy of ...
Post a Comment
Read more