“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” James 1:2-3
The phone rang! It rang early in the morning as I was getting ready to go out. The nature of the call dictated a change in my plans. One of our Church families had been involved in a car crash. The location was less than 1/5th of a mile from where I was actually heading. So I headed there first. Thankfully, nobody was seriously hurt. But mom and 2 kids were in shock and a mess.
The phone rings! And when it does, it often means someone has a need that needs a touch from God. They call me because… God doesn’t HAVE a phone number! Per Se! They call me because they need a tangible voice to try to make some sense out of an overwhelming situation. Or to tell someone of their good, bad, sad or joyful experience… or to fill a need. I answer on His behalf.
It is an honor to be called. Most often, the most immediate need is a prayer, a hug, an encouraging Word from God’s Word. Sometimes that’s all they need. But more often, it’s just the start of a trial, a test or a life-changing event. Sometimes what I do does it. Most times, that phone call is just an initial door to a valley of change. Sometimes short. Sometimes very long!
Like everybody else, I have trials. Some have come and gone just as quickly. Some lead to very long valleys with lots of shadows. Today’s verse gives interesting advice about trials. When they come, it appears I’m supposed to be Happily Joyful about them when they do! I’ve never arrived at a crash scene and handed out party horns and balloons! Maybe I need to think about that!
Humans in the Garden of Eden were programmed to expect God’s arrival at any and all times. Face to face! After that little sin incident, those meetings came to an end, and death turned the party life into a long drudge in a dark valley. So humans, looking for what USED to come natural, sought ways to party! And even today, most miss the point of this whole life. God still DOES party favors.
I have to remind myself, in and through all MY trials, that God is using my life to Glorify Himself on this darkening planet. He is my light and joy, if I LET Him be. But far too often, I fall for the deception that THIS world is my home. That working to get a good life HERE is the plan. And nothing could be further from the truth! God wants me WITH HIM… FACE TO FACE. FOREVER!
Someday I’ll be with Him face to face. But for now, I can look to him in trials and know that He is right there with me to help. If I let Him. What are YOU facing that could use a little God Time?
