“Blessed is the man who remains
steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown
of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” (James 1:12)
There has to be a mind shift when it
comes to our daily lives and the trial of life. Why do we so freely accept
tests to improve our standing in life but are quick to complain about the
assessments that we don’t see coming? I think I’ve work some of that our, it is
all because of our agendas, we like to be in control, period!
The very tough times of our lives which
we have agreed too, the stretches when we are in the right frame of mind allows
most of us to push through. For some it might be study, for others physical and
mental feats. For me my time with the marines was compulsory, it was part of
South African history, but once we enrolled the choices were vast. We could
cruise under the radar or embrace the challenge. I had a choice and so I chose.
With effort came reward.
This verse seem to have a similar
implication “when he has stood the test” what will happen? He will be rewarded.
How? “He will receive the crown of life”. Will I put my hand to the plough or
will I look to tap out? The sin that so easily besets will always look to
interfere. It’s a fruit of our carnality. But the Spirit of God abhors sin, as
it is anti-God and everything He is not. I think were we make the mistake, we
look to complain about the trial of life instead of embracing it. It has really
been scripted into God’s plan and once we align our thought process we can get
on with the tasks at hand. Imagine if the Lord Jesus allow Peter to continue
hacking away at the centurions ear overthrowing those looking to arrest him and
then they ran into hiding. Or if he exposed Judas Iscariot as the one who would
betray him long before his treachery was needed. What if the man who had been
blind had received sight at birth, how would the works of God be made manifest
through him. He was in the exact place, blind, and at the appointed time for
the Lord Jesus to show off his miraculous powers. In fact that event had been
scripted by God before the foundations of the world. No matter how many times
he washed his eyes in the temples pool named Siloam, he was never going to
receive his sight, that event was between him and the Lord. If we can begin to
view our lives through a different lens it will most certainly help with the
struggle. It must be the lens marked “God glorifier”. Once mounted we need to
draw from the storerooms of grace to help in time of need.
“Faith, hope and love”. We need faith
to believe these truths and hope to motivate us towards our final destination.
God give us the strength to embrace His will for our lives, Amen!
Signing off
Tyrone
