Peru, you are too good to us! Turns out we showed up to our contact site a couple days early.. Surprise! The past few days, we have had the opportunity to participate in a youth conference with young adults from the surrounding areas. Although we were only able to understand bits and pieces of the sermons, it was extremely encouraging to see the light of Jesus in the youth. Many stated that they gave their hearts back to the Lord at this conference and it was a joy to witness. We are unsure as to what our ministry will be this month, but word on the Peruvian street is that we will be teaching English by means of Bible stories. I’m getting a little too excited to talk about a man getting swallowed by a whale. I can only imagine the mis-communications ahead of us this month.
#googletranslate
Being back on the race has shown me, yet again, how much I need to be filled with our Father’s love. Living in community is a beautiful disaster. It’s the best way I can say it. But I myself am a beautiful disaster as well. Asking for the Lord to change your heart is a humbling and extremely intruiging process. To be honest, I’ve never been so intentional about asking for such. But He delivers. Like He promises. (Imagine that)
This morning, I read and re-read the first chapter of James. I love how it gets straight to the point. No messing around.
James 1:2 states, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”
It doesn’t say “be happy” or “be content” when you face trials, but rather pure joy. I don’t know about you, but that’s a hard one to swallow. Also, there is clarification that the size, weight, or height of the trial does not matter. Why is necessary to be joyful about crappy situations? It leads to perseverance. I can’t help but think of this as a flow chart in my mind. He doesn’t stop there, of course.
The next verse states, “Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
Alright, so that’s awesome. The next step of the flowchart is presented clearly. With perseverance comes a new form of maturity and completion that we may never have experienced had we not been brought to and through the trial. But wait. It gets even better, just in case we still aren’t convinced perseverance is for us.
James 1:12 “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”
I will never read this chapter too many times. With each new day comes new trials. We each know, without a doubt in our mind, that trials and temptations are ahead of us in this life. Being equipped to deal with those trials with love and joy may seem impossible, but re-read that last verse. It’s too beautiful to ignore.
I love flow charts that end with the crown of life.
