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James 1:1–8 (ESV)
1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings. 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. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
In my backyard, I have a small windmill, which is about eight feet tall. It’s always fascinating to watch it work as the wind hits the tail turning the blades to the wind and they begin to spin. On most days a gentle breeze hits the windmill and the blades turn slowly, but on stormy days the wind swirls about in my back yard turning the windmill in all directions and the blades spin so fast that they are nothing but a blur.
I’ve often looked at our windmill in action and thought that’s how life is at times. Sometimes, the pace of life is casual and easy, and at other times, it’s fast and furious, and we’re forced to spin and turn in all directions as we meet the deadlines of work and school, work at keeping our relational ties strong with friends, family, and spouse, or as we face those situations which threaten to overwhelm us when a health crisis hits or we suffer loss.
The challenge of following Jesus is not to respond to the vicissitudes of life as if we’re windmills; turning, spinning in all directions as the winds of life clamor for our attention.
What we need to do is keep our hearts and minds centered on Jesus.
That’s essential because the moment that we decide to entrust our lives to Jesus, we’ll begin to feel the challenge of life’s winds test our faith as many things seek to pull our attention away from Jesus.
Don’t worry when that happens. It’s normal, and James says that it’s a blessing, it’s an opportunity, and James says that we should “Count it all joy” when these trials, these opportunities hit us. Why?
Because it means that our faith is real and as we’re tested by these things, we’re being refined and growing stronger in faith. You see, Jesus never wants us to simply survive as we follow Him. Jesus wants us to thrive in our relationship with Him (John 10:10). If we’re to thrive and press on in following Jesus, it means that our faith needs to grow, mature, and become strong (Hebrews 6:1, 1 Peter 2:2-3, Colossians 1:9-10, Ephesians 4:13-16).
And there’s a benefit to being tested. Steadfastness or endurance is produced in us and we’re to let that work through us so that we become mature and complete, lacking nothing.
Don’t forget about wisdom, either! Often, when we face trials, we need some help and direction, and James encourages us to ask God for wisdom in those testing situations. And did you catch this? God will generously give it to you! So don’t hesitate to ask! Trust the Lord to provide His wisdom to you all in His good timing.
Stay focused on the Lord, keep your heart and mind centered on Jesus, and He will lead you through.
Without that constancy and determination, that steadfastness of faith, you’ll be like a windmill, turning and spinning in all directions that the wind takes you.
But with it, “you will have settled character. Wisdom. Patience [steadfastness]. Faith.” N.T. Wright.
Count it all joy whenever you face trials of various kinds. Your faith is real, and even here in the trial, there is an opportunity for you to grow and mature, to deepen and strengthen your relationship with Jesus.
God bless you, and know that you are constantly in my prayers.
Scott
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