Steadfast

“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