James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, once said to the twelve tribes scattered among the nations:
“Consider it PURE JOY, my brothers, whenever you face trials of MANY KINDS, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must FINISH ITS WORK so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But 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… Blessed is the man who perseveres UNDER TRIAL, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown
of life that God has promised to those who LOVE HIM.”
~James 1:2-6, 12~
This wooden panel is of a house I saw in downtown Leesburg, VA last year. I like it because the wood is natural, rough, and raw. In a lot of ways, it reminds me of how God uses trials in our lives to ‘sand us down’ and smooth out our internal flaws and sharp edges. The past few months have been characterized by trials for many in my life and in the world. Yet, God is working skillfully as the craftman of the heart. And it is so cool to see what He is doing in His workshop.
My brother Peter’s BMW was wrecked at Sugarloaf Mountain at the end of this summer. A true saint in our church–Kathy Bowers–went home to be with the Lord after battling cancer for a number of years. My Mom’s back had a relapse two weeks ago because of the fickle weather and changing season. I dealt with a bad sinus infection for 2 weeks that laid me up for a while at the beginning of September. My sister Nora and brother-in-law Travis, who live in a ranch house owned by the Shanks, now have it up for sale and are praying for a new place to live. My younger brother’s friend–Chris Maresco–badly broke his femur in a soccer game, had to have surgery, and spent close to a week in the hospital. Last weekend, a young guy named Ian Murphy from the Lord of Life Sovereign Grace church in Indiana, PA was in a horrible car accident that has left him in a coma; He miraculously opened his eyes the other day, despite severe skull injuries, a broken vertebrae, and fractured bones. Today, he is to undergo surgery for his knee and vertebral column.
Meanwhile, a dear little girl named Alivia Haughery continues to fight for life as she battles leukemia and her parents, James and Emily, work on a bone marrow fundraiser. Our dear friends, the Smiths, have approached the final month before their son Chase is born, who has a disease that will most likely cause him to die shortly after birth. In the world– Amish children, shot and murdered. More American soldiers, killed in Iraq.
And little things count as trials, too: my friend’s ankle that hurts, my left eye that keeps twitching, my Dad’s nice bike that got stolen in August, my sister’s physical adjustment to the Arizona climate, my battle over the same sins that I have been fighting for months…
Truly, trials of MANY KINDS. Isn’t it amazing that our Sovereign God is aware of each one, cares intimately for every individual it affects, and wisely acts out His will in love?? This new fall season, perseverance has become impressed upon me in a unique way. Allowing God to finish His work within us is never a comfortable, relaxing thing; yet, as He sands me down more into the image of Christ, He promises the Crown of Life for those who stand the test! What hope the Gospel, the good news of the Cross, provides for us as believers!
But trials are REAL: they can be so bittersweet. Treading through them is tiring. They have a sneaky way of making me fear all sorts of things. My mind runs wild. My heart grows weary. My soul can even begin to despair, complain, and lose sight of the trustworthy Shepherd. Quite simply, they humble me, making me bow down low before an almighty Father and Lord in acknowledgment of my own frailty and lack of understanding. Yet, as I fight for joy, I pray that out of His abundant grace, He will equip me (and you!) to know that HIS grace is sufficient for me. For His power is made PERFECT in my weakness.
In the meantime, please continue to specifically pray for Ian Murphy, the Smith family, and the Haughery family!