We Count Them Blessed Who Endure
I hear repeatedly from friends and acquaintances, “Where does God have me at this time in my life, and when will He ever get around to telling me?” That wait is excruciating, isn’t it? Looking around us, we see the need to be involved, and if you are like me – you realize you no longer have the time to dabble. I want to be purposeful in this stage of my life. I don’t want to waste time throwing ideas, projects, etc., against the wall and hoping something will stick.
I just love the book of James. There is so much instruction in this book. He was a wise man - but then again, he was the brother of Jesus, and no doubt picked up a thing or two as His sibling. James 5:7-8 says, “Therefore, be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it…. You also be patient. Establish your hearts…” In other words, be strong and determined that God will do that thing you are waiting for. Persevere in your faith and remain confident that God has heard your prayer and is well aware of your struggles and desires.
In James 5:11, “You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord.” Our resolution, our direction, is intended by the Lord! Nothing that happened to Job, Joseph, or Abraham in their waiting and struggles was without intention by the Almighty. In my Bible, the word "intend" is in italics. I love that. Look at the definition of the word intend; “Have a course of action as one’s purpose or objective. A plan that something functions in a particular way. A destiny for a particular purpose or end.” Wow. God has an intended course of action for each of us with a definite purpose and end in mind. Hold on to that. Trust that. He is so deliberate!
We can’t afford to waste time just keeping busy. We need to take our desire for direction and purpose to the Lord - who already has a course of action in mind for us. If we are honest with ourselves, much of what we do can be considered an effort to gratify ourselves. What we should be doing is allowing Him to be our motivation by giving Him the wheel. Let God have the stage. It is, after all, His production. We are instructed to let go of all we desire to be, even if that desire is to serve. The bottom line is – I am not the captain of this vessel. I need to stop trying to plot the course and steer the ship. I must hand over all ridiculous attempts to chart out my own course. I have no business doing that. What I want MUST be left behind. How absurd, really, is it to presume that I could possibly redirect a course that had already been marked out for me? Especially when the marker of that course is God Almighty.
James 4:10: “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.” How humble are we really when we think we are the judge of what is best for us? Psalm 143:8; “Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.”
Luke 9:23; Then He said to them, “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”
Just follow Him.
