“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.” James 1:2-3
Lord Jesus, on this very day last August, I was supposed to be in Hamilton, Ontario, teaching and fishing at the beautiful Muskoka Bible Centre. During the 10 weeks prior to our Canada trip, Darlene and I were also to have been in Northern Ireland, Spain, Montana, and Alaska. Alas, due to “the virus,” none of those trips happened. Drat it.
In today’s passage, James wasn’t specifically prophesying my “2020 summer of disruption.” He was writing to help fellow believers prepare for Roman imprisonments, confiscation of property, divided families, the crazy politics of Nero, and the prospect of martyrdom.
Nevertheless, “troubles of any kind” are to be placed within the arena, wisdom, and freedom of James 1:2-3—including “the virus,” and its mutations. Jesus, with many friends this August Monday morning, I do not like waking up to the new “Delta Dance” we’re having to learn. My instinct isn’t to “consider it an opportunity for great joy.”
But, by faith and grace, I (we) choose to trust you for great joy and neighbor love—over the foolishness of denial, the bitterness of blaming, the paralysis of fear, the selfishness of throwing caution to the wind, and the wasted energy of anger. Help us, free us, grace us, Lord Jesus. So very Amen we pray, in your kind and Kingly name.