Steps of Faith

You know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. – James 1-3 Because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.

Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do. Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position, but the rich should take pride in their humiliation, since they will pass away like a wildflower. For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant, its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed.

In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business. 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. 4 of us hiked through the beautiful Watkins Glen Gorge in New York. At times we stood together in awe as we gazed in wonder at waterfalls and 200-foot cliffs. Other times, we had to stop to catch our breath and rest our hurting legs as we climbed wet rocks and endless steps.

When we neared the top, a hiker heading back down said, you've got only 10 steps to go of your 832. Maybe it was best we hadn't known how difficult the journey would be, because we might have stayed back and missed the beauty of it all. The journey of life has difficult steps too. Jesus and Paul warned believers about trouble and persecution, and this requires some perspective. James said in James 1, consider it pure joy whenever you face trials of many kinds.

Why pure joy instead of pure agony? God knows, and we know that the testing of our faith produces perseverance. But to what end, so that we may be mature and complete, not lacking anything? If we'll stop and look, despite the pain, we may see the beautiful strength of character God is producing in us and those around us. And we'll learn to appreciate the truth that one day we'll receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him. Let's keep climbing together. Let's pray. Lord, thank you for the way life's trials can be used to strengthen our faith and to shape our character. Of course, when we're in the midst of difficulty, help us to trust in your purpose and find joy in the journey, knowing that you are leading us in the plan that you have for us. It's in Jesus' name we pray. Amen.