'Count it all joy'

 2*Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, *3*for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. *4*And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. 

James 1:2–4.

I find these verses some of the most challenging in Scripture. Whenever I read v2 I wonder how am I ever meant to achieve that - how do you consider trials a joy? I recall what the early christians went through and how they were praising in prison, flogged, beaten, stoned and crucified and I wonder how did they encounter these things with such calm and joy? 

Even in the days we are living in now christians are horrendously persecuted. Some people are tortured and tormented, yet their trust and understanding of God remains, and even strengthens. They go through the pain and discomfort because they know the truth and they, ‘count it all joy’ to be persecuted for Christ. I have not experienced anything like the terrible and terrifying ordeals that some suffer, yet even in my sufferings and trials I struggle to count it a joy. As I write this, I acknowledge that I am currently experiencing, 'trials of various kinds'. I have felt; heartbroken, confused, defeated, loss and numb. I have not been joyful about these things at all and I do not think that James is saying that we need to be full of joy in the trials, but learn to, ‘count’ them a joy. It would be inhuman really to rejoice when pain and suffering come, but that does not mean that we cannot consider that these hardships are actually doing us good in the long-term. I think that this is what James was getting at. When you encounter trials, it is tough and they stretch and challenge us in ways we never expected or wanted. Yet when you and I endure these things continuing to trust in God, although you know that your faith is being tested and that is difficult, you also can know that this is an opportunity to grow steadfast, perfect and content. Who doesn't want that? - this is good news!

There is bad news however, and that is that trials will involve pain, suffering and waiting! In order to achieve these attributes it means that you will have to endure. You have to persevere and be determined to  keep hold of your faith in God and doing what you know is right even if no-one else is. It is hard, and none of us like it, but growing up to become steadfast and complete is the goal. It takes patience, endurance, mistakes and hardship to get there. I think we struggle with this so much today as it is so easy to see that society has grown away from patience and endurance. These are not attributes that many of us have or seek, i mean, who likes waiting for things? The world promotes instant gratification and quick fixes rather than permanent solutions built over time. We have seen an increase of self-serve checkouts, pre-orders, 24hour delivery, all because we want things done and we want it now! We have become a throw away culture; if it doesn’t work, throw it out, get a new one. If it hurts, get some pain relief, if it’s hard, don’t do it. If you have to wait, order it online. If this is our standard - How are you to grow in patience and understanding? 

Nowhere does the Bible teach that instant gratification or relief is a good thing. We actually see the complete opposite. Scripture, teaches instead that; hardship, endurance, suffering, pain and trials are a good thing! Probably not if you look at the here and now whilst in the midst of a trial, but if you take time to consider what it is doing in you long-term, you can see that these tough times do you good. They cause you to evaluate life and yourself in a new way, they can help you grow in empathy, understanding, appreciation and can bring about faith and steadfastness, completeness and contentment. This is what these verses show us as well as the rest of the Bible. James also writes in verse 12, ‘ 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.’ 

What a great promise! 

Yes, trials are tough and they last. The effects of the trials on our emotions, mental and physical health can take its toll, but what do they do for your spiritual health? Even if you are suffering, are you continuing to learn about God, still talking to Him and depending on Him? If so, then you will grow in faith and steadfastness, but it takes time. Faith is only realised when it’s tested. Steadfastness can only grow if you’ve endured through some trials. So, to achieve these things you have to accept the sufferings. You have to allow yourself to patiently go through it knowing that you can grow in character and faith eventually gaining the crown of life as your reward!

Shaky Servant

 

The faith of Abraham’s servant is quite astounding. He is faithful to Abraham, and totally respects the faith Abraham has, acknowledging something significant about ‘the God of my master Abraham’. 

Although, at the beginning of Genesis chapter 24 the servant seems overwhelmed by the task his master is giving him, the servant has trust enough in Abraham and God to do as Abraham asks. 

The servant even prays a bit of an outrageous prayer (ever done that?!). Then he sits there, I believe, in awe-struck silence, as his prayer is answered straight away right in front of his eyes. 

We can see from the text that he was clearly stunned, he and questioned whether it was really that easy the task he had been sent on. He knew it shouldn’t be. He had started the journey with many questions and concerns. Yet he still stepped out in nervous faith, more carried along by the faith of Abraham and his obedience to him. It was then that his own faith grew. 

As we read more about the unravelling of this story, the servant honestly retells the events to those listening, and they acknowledge, “the thing has come from the Lord”. 

As the servant sees that God indeed is with him, he worships, he recognises that it’s not anything of his own self that deserves this situation to work out as it has. He knows he has been sent by a God-filled man, and he humbly continues with his mission having seen what God has already achieved through his obedience. 

I love this story because I see the humility of this servant whose name isn’t even mentioned.  He doesn’t know if he really believes in this God, as he refers to Him as, ‘the God of my master Abraham’. The servant is obedient even though the task set before him stretches him and demands something unusual. His obedience to the faith-filled Abraham is ultimately what leads him to begin to understand that there really is a God, and that this God is significant. This God makes things happen, even those things that seem ridiculous, this God is present, this God listens, this God fulfils His purposes, this God is awesome and is worthy of worship. 

Yet, the servant would not have grown in faith in this way unless Abraham had challenged him to go on this journey. The servant had seen Abraham make decisions in faith, but had not had to do it on his own before. Abraham sent him, and look at the increase of faith this produced in that man, and the blessing it brought to Abraham’s family. 

Are you willing to be sent on a faith journey? 

Is there someone who’s faith you admire that is setting a challenge for you to move and grow in faith? If so, be obedient, take the risk - what’s the worse that can happen? 

When you step out in faith, it is terrifying, it is different, and people may think you’re a bit crazy, but be ready, like the servant, to pray outrageous prayers and see outrageous answers. It won’t just change your life, but the lives those around you too. The task of Abraham's servant seemed ridiculous really, yet he trusted in the faith of his master, someone who had seen God working in so many ways in his life, the servant took stock of the success and faith of this man, and realised that eventhough he did not share the faith of Abraham, he could trust that Abraham knew what he was asking of him and expecting of God. So, the servant stepped froward with trepidation. He by no means was certain of success, or of what would happen, but he had confidence in Abraham, even if he didn't have the same confidence in God yet. 

Are you willing to go like Abraham’s servant was? It is ok to have questions, it’s ok to not be sure, it’s ok to be nervous and excited. It’s great to pray and trust. So, are you willing to take the first shaky steps into a new future as you trust in the faith of others when they call you to step out?

have you attained maturity?

11*About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. *12*For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, *13*for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. *14*But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.
Hebrews 5:11–14.

Are you drinking milk or solid food?

This passage is a challenge to us to consider our maturity in faith. It causes us to consider our own maturity.

From this passage, spiritual maturity comes down to whether you are putting into practice your faith or not (v14).
So are you? Are you regularly acting and reacting from a place of faith in God?

v14 tells us that part of growing up in faith is being able to distinguish good and evil, yet it is not only being able to tell the difference, but being able to put the right way into practice. In the everyday challenges of life, in the little, unseen moments, how are you responding? Are you walking right even when no-one else knows about it? Are you putting into practice the things God is prompting you about?
The way to maturity is distinguishing and practicing what you know God’s will is - walking in faith means you will grow up and become skilled in righteousness. Isn’t that something you want to aim for?

What is so important about attaining maturity? Well,  do you want to stay a baby forever?! No-one really wants that - to be fully reliant on others for basic needs and safety, only ever drinking milk and unable to perform the basic functions of life independently. It is essential that you grow up. It is a natural process, we see growth from a baby to a toddler, teenager and beyond. So it should be as we continue our journey of faith - the longer you follow God, the more you should be learning, developing and practicing the ways of God. As a part of the process there will be; training, discipline, comfort, listening, reading, prayer, challenges and mistakes. Experiencing these things and allowing them to form your character means that you gain righteousness and maturity.

Being mature doesn’t happen overnight, it’s a gradual process. Like learning to ride a bike, you have to take it slow, listen to others, have a go, take advice and keep practicing until you learn to balance and ride. It is scary, it doesn’t feel comfortable, but  it is putting faith in practice that helps us grow up.
Like riding a bike, seeking spiritual maturity means learning from others. You need to rely on others wisdom and experience to give you the wisdom and lead you to practice ‘good’. There are faithful disciples around you, fellow members of God’s church, who will walk with you and encourage you. Seek out those who can help you with the next steps of faith, what is it that God is teaching you right now? Are you ignoring or taking up the challenges God is giving you?
If you are a person of spiritual maturity - do you have the opportunity to teach others? How can you impart the knowledge, wisdom and practice of faith into the loves of others so that they too can grow up in their faith?

I am not small. You are big

When you’re a child, everything is big.
You know you’re small and weak, you rely on the big people to help you, guide you and keep you safe. The big people are good at it, and so good at so many things that some of these big people become your heroes. They are bigger and better than you, they can run faster, they are stronger, less afraid and more clever. You look up to these giants because you see great capability, skills and fun in them. They can achieve far more than you and you are in wonder. You learn to trust these big people because it is not hard to see that they are more capable and stronger than you, and you love spending time with them. You ask them all sorts of questions and depend on them for real answers. You enjoy their company, their time and make use of the fact that they are greater than you. You can see there is yet much more to learn and experience, and you often want to grow up to be like one of your heroes.

As adults, one of the big people, we smile at the young's admiration and inquisitiveness, we regard it as sweet and cute, but isn't it much more than that really? Is it no wonder that Jesus tells the little children to come to him?! Can you imagine their reception of him? They’d love his stories, they’d be clambering all over him, wanting to follow him and play with him, copy him and ask all sorts of questions, and Jesus encouraged it.
Jesus wanted children around him. There's something more profound in the loving acceptance and enjoyment of children. They recognise things in people that are worth looking up to, they are grateful for the small things, they give everyone a chance and see good in people. These children were captivated by Jesus, they wanted to hang around with him, listen to him and he wowed them! He made time for them and they flocked to him. Is t no wonder Jesus wanted to spend time with the kids?! The children clearly saw something in Jesus that was worth looking up to. They could appreciate Jesus’ significance, their reception of him and perception of who he is was accurate. He is someone worth looking up to, he is captivating and fun to be around. He was a big person. Not just bigger in size, but he capable of so much more, and the children were filled with wonder. They were aware of their smallness, but not afraid to clamber towards someone who's so much bigger.

So, what happens as we grow up? When do we stop feeling small?

I guess it’s when we get older, we get more experience, we see things that once seemed huge and now they are not as big and scary. We lose a sense of wonder and appreciation of the things around us, let alone of God. We find less to appreciate and captivate us about others and we get too busy to concern ourselves with stories and games.
Our vision of who we are increases as we gain more skills and opportunities, we gain a greater awareness of our own capabilities as we now become the big people. We see ourselves as more able and less reliant. We know we are no longer small and maybe joke about our childhood fancies and foolishness. We have grown up. But is that such a good thing? Yes, we have gained responsibilities and abilities and we are no longer small. Sadly, that means our perspective of who we are changes as well as our recognition of others and God. The big things lose their significance with us too. The God who seemed awe-inspiring and wonderful, magnificent and magical wanes in our vision.Our perception of things changes as we grow and that includes our perception of who God is.

We can lose some of the sense of awe, significance and greatness of God. We no longer rely on him for the small things that we are now capable of achieving, but do we really rely on him for much now we are bigger?

Is it no wonder we are told to come to God like children? They have an accurate sense of their own smallness in relation to God, they are enthralled with whatever is bigger, stronger and more capable than them - that doesn’t have to change as we ‘grow up’.

I like this image, because I think this is how we should see ourselves as adults. We are no longer small, but instead of realising how big we are now, God is still enormous! No matter how much we grow, how 'unsmall' we feel, God will always remain big. It is time to recapture some of that childhood wonder. It is time to reflect on the enormity of the God you know. It's time to reflect;
Is your God big?
Is He bigger than your circumstances? Your life?
Is He so big that he captivates your attention?

Maybe you are no longer small, but do you realise that God is still big?!