James 1:2-4
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”
To be steadfast means to be resolutely unwavering. To be steadfast is not an accidental behavior, it is a conscious decision and practice. In other words, you do not all-of-the-sudden become steadfast. You purpose to become steadfast. You resolve to be unwavering. Immovable. Have you ever considered the fact that following Jesus is a long game? There’s strategy, and practice, and the building up of endurance. Life does not become easier when we choose to follow Christ. In fact, sometimes the opposite happens. However, hardship experienced in a lifelong pursuit of following Jesus produces something in us that may otherwise be missed—steadfastness. The ability to endure. To remain. To keep going. Resolutely and with purpose. It does not take a huge stretch of the imagination to recognize that most (if not all) of us are facing some type of trial or hardship. Look at the “One Day” wall. Think of the things both spoken and unspoken that we endure on a day to day basis. The challenge brought to us here in these places of hardship is to “count it all joy.” What?! I’m supposed to look at the moments that break my heart, or disappoint me, or test my resolve as a joyful experience?? Yes. And you too. Because these moments are producing in us the ability to remain resolute. To continue. To look to Christ—who endured trial and hardship and heartbreak for the sake of the joy set before him. A joy that waits for us all. We’re in a long game, and in the process we have a savior who comes beside us and invites us to become more like him. And THAT is a joy.
Lord, we thank you that you never lead us into anything that you yourself have not experienced first. There is nothing about our lives or circumstances that is a surprise to you. Thank you for the moments that teach us to rely on you. Thank you for the experiences that shape and mold us as we become more like you. Help us to see hardship as a joy because of what it will build and produce in us. Help us to remain resolutely unwavering in you. We love you. Amen.