Electricbones’s Weblog

James 1:2-8

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6But 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. 7That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; 8he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.

I didnt really know where to start today in my readings… and for some reason the book of James just popped into my head. This idea of the clashing of trials and our strong hope in God is where God really combines His seemingly two opposite characteristics (both Lion and Lamb) to show that we will have trials and tests in this relationship with Him, but also within that we must know that our hope is also in the Comforter and the Giver of all. Also something interesting in the last few verses about our then reaction to the trials in our lives… our free will and part in this relationship. By asking and fully believing that God will “give generously to all without finding fault”… knowing this creates a sense in us of keeping that perseverance to seek Him during those trials.

We all have trials, it is just a part of this relationship. But we can have confidence within these to know that the Jesus who came and died for us is wanting us to live life with Him.

Lately, my struggles have been with faithfulness and patience in the Lord. I am constantly learning to wait upon Him… but it is often hard when He plants dreams in me that I have to learn to wait on His timing for to be fulfilled. It’s like getting a taste of something… but having to grow that desire within you rather than having it fulfilled immediately.

I was also brought back to reality last night by a friend to “appreciate where you are at” because God is working in me now in the places He has called me to be. That although these passions are for a purpose… I can’t be less passionate for the people and areas that I am called to now… and that I must not be discouraged because Satan likes to make you feel like you aren’t getting anywhere by waiting. his words are “Hurry! Just do things yourself because God is too busy right now!” Pah. his tricks are old and I rebuke them.

God has been so faithful even though I have been so antsy…

Sometimes I do feel like this is just an “inbetween time”… a waiting period.