I mentioned yesterday that my finances will be better than ever before in the months to follow. This is true! However, there is one major financial burden that I still carry! Tomorrow, I will begin to work on a resolution to this situation! It seems that the Christian life is five steps forward, four steps backward. I haven't quite figured it out other than to say this: every time I see progress, it is at the cost of a retrogression shortly thereafter. This can be discouraging. I have to admit that it's beneficial. I think of of the passage in James that says,
"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. 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. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does. The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position. But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower. For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business. Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him." James 1:2-12
A good friend of mine once told me that he reached a point in life where he had to choose who he was going to be; how he would live. Would he be known as someone wisened by the world's standards or would he be known as Christ, spirit filled and wholly devoted? This friend chose the latter, praise the Lord. He often says that if he could learn to be the same in all settings, to be consistently "Christian", that he would've achieved some form of success in his lifetime. To be the same at home that you are at work or at church is, by definition, true consistency. I'm not sure that I'm quite there yet. I am choosing, all over, who I want to be "when I grow up". The thing is, we never are grown up. Not until we see Him face to face. We do, however, have the opportunity daily to "re-choose" who we are. I want to daily choose to rejoice in the face of trials; to glory in the cross ultimately.
I love verse 2, "Consider it pure joy...the testing of your faith works perseverance..." The act of choosing Christ IS WORTH IT. It truly is. I can now honestly say that I don't think I'd trade my circumstances for anything. I've learned more about my God through all of this. Why would I want to downgrade from that by trading in hardship? I will be of greater use having gone through difficult stages rather than living a life of ease, leading to ill content. I will be made "mature and COMPLETE" having learned not to "doubt" the power of my Savior to work in ALL THINGS. He is consistently ALL of His attributes, ALL OF THE TIME. Even on my bad days, He is still good. I can't grasp the concept of having Christ overlook my faults when I ask Him for wisdom... I think this can best be described as relief on my part. "The brother of humble circumstances ought to take pride in his HIGH position..." Wow...I am speechless...
In my weakness, I am promised a crown. All I have to do is trust.... How fortunate I am...
Just this evening, I was sharing with someone about what I am learning from Job. I explained that I've missed the point of the entire book! Satan comes to the Lord one day stating, "Job serves you only because you've given him so many incentives." The Lord's response, "No, Job serves me because he KNOWS His God. I will remove all from him and he will continue to serve me." Wow.
*Gulp, gulp.*
Job KNEW the indescribable character of his personal Savior. He KNEW God is good in ALL circumstances. Upon losing everything, he still PERSEVERED. He still WORSHIPED. He still put one foot in front of the other, in full recognition of the Hope that was within him.
My circumstances are menial. I will never know true hardship; certainly never persecution. My every need is met. Everything in life comes back to the cross. Am I going to take it up and follow Him, or leave it lying in the dust?
I have decided who I will be "when I grow up". My usual response to life's speed bumps: BRING IT ON! If God is for me, who can be against me?
"I Know Who Holds The Future)
- Stuart Hamblen
More Elvis Presley Lyrics...
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