“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.” (James 1:2-4 NIV)
It is said about an electrical current that it will always follow the path of least resistance. That’s why it’s a good idea not to use a hair dryer while near a bathtub full of water or a metal extension ladder near power lines. We humans often can be similar in our approach to life. We seek the path of least resistance, the path with the least amount of risk and suffering. And when things do get difficult, we often adopt the “woe is me” attitude.
So many things change when we decide to become a Jesus-follower. One is our understanding of how life works. We understand that, first, we live in a fallen, messed up world where bad things routinely happen. Just go to any Internet news site and that becomes clear very quickly. Secondly, Jesus warned us that, as His followers, we would experience trouble in this world (John 16:33). In other words, we are not immune from suffering just because we are Christians. In fact, and this is the third realization, in following Jesus we are called to follow His example which was one of suffering (I Peter 2:21).
So when James tells us to view our suffering and difficulties with joy, he is reminding us of the different perspective that comes when we follow Jesus. No longer do we seek to avoid suffering at all costs or view it as the worst possible thing that could happen to us. Instead, we embrace it as one of the Lord’s ways of transforming us into the men and women He created us to be. We trust that, instead of abandoning us to suffering, He is with us in the midst of it, walking by our side. We believe that, instead of being meaningless, God is using it for His purposes.
Jesus did warn us that following Him in this world would bring us trouble, but He also said, “Take heart! I have overcome the world.” The suffering that is in the world and visits us is meant by our enemy to discourage and defeat us. But through the power of the Lord, suffering can instead make us stronger and draw us into a deeper relationship with Jesus.
Today, realize the path of least resistance is not the path for one who follows Jesus. The more difficult path, the path of hardship and suffering, is the one He took. It is not easy, but you will not walk it alone and the Lord will use it to transform your life.
© Jim Musser 2014
It is said about an electrical current that it will always follow the path of least resistance. That’s why it’s a good idea not to use a hair dryer while near a bathtub full of water or a metal extension ladder near power lines. We humans often can be similar in our approach to life. We seek the path of least resistance, the path with the least amount of risk and suffering. And when things do get difficult, we often adopt the “woe is me” attitude.
So many things change when we decide to become a Jesus-follower. One is our understanding of how life works. We understand that, first, we live in a fallen, messed up world where bad things routinely happen. Just go to any Internet news site and that becomes clear very quickly. Secondly, Jesus warned us that, as His followers, we would experience trouble in this world (John 16:33). In other words, we are not immune from suffering just because we are Christians. In fact, and this is the third realization, in following Jesus we are called to follow His example which was one of suffering (I Peter 2:21).
So when James tells us to view our suffering and difficulties with joy, he is reminding us of the different perspective that comes when we follow Jesus. No longer do we seek to avoid suffering at all costs or view it as the worst possible thing that could happen to us. Instead, we embrace it as one of the Lord’s ways of transforming us into the men and women He created us to be. We trust that, instead of abandoning us to suffering, He is with us in the midst of it, walking by our side. We believe that, instead of being meaningless, God is using it for His purposes.
Jesus did warn us that following Him in this world would bring us trouble, but He also said, “Take heart! I have overcome the world.” The suffering that is in the world and visits us is meant by our enemy to discourage and defeat us. But through the power of the Lord, suffering can instead make us stronger and draw us into a deeper relationship with Jesus.
Today, realize the path of least resistance is not the path for one who follows Jesus. The more difficult path, the path of hardship and suffering, is the one He took. It is not easy, but you will not walk it alone and the Lord will use it to transform your life.
© Jim Musser 2014
No comments:
Post a Comment