What do we want... what do we need?
“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. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:2-4
I don’t know that many people who actually look forward to pain. We usually call people like that masochistic. The Bible isn’t really promoting this characteristic, but saying “when seemingly bad things do happen to you…and they eventually will… remember to see things in context.” And what is this context?
When I go to the gym, or exercise in any way for that matter, I know that it will be “uncomfortable” for a while. I also know that I probably will feel sore the next day as well. Yet, I know it’s good for me. I know it will make me feel better about myself. Endorphins released during the workout will help me be less stressed. Blood pressure, strength, endurance… all will benefit. And… I might even be a nicer person to live with!
Knowing me, after a while I’ll start looking forward to this “little moment of discomfort” because I know the benefits far outweigh the investment.
Not all struggles in life are this easy to deal with. Poverty, illness, relational abuse…these are real and not easy to live with. We all face times in life where we “need” something different than what is going on at the moment.
I heard a song written by Audrey Assad and Bryan Brown that really spoke to my heart.
I Shall Not Want
From the love of my own comfort¨
From the fear of having nothing
From a life of worldly passions
Deliver me O God
From a need to be understood
From a need to be accepted
From a fear of being lonely
Deliver me O God
Deliver me O God
And I shall not want
No, I shall not want
When I taste Your goodness I shall not want
When I taste Your goodness I shall not want
From a fear of serving others
From the fear of death or trial
From the fear of humility
Deliver me o God
Deliver me o God
And I shall not want
No I shall not want
When I taste Your goodness I shall not want
No I shall not want
When I taste Your goodness I shall not want
What I think James is talking about in these verses goes hand-in-hand with Romans 8:28-30 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.”
Our Heavenly Father has a plan for us. Just like the gem-cutter who works with a diamond, who sees what’s hiding inside the uncut stone. He’s working with us…but only to the extent that we allow Him. He wants us to trust Him and rely on His goodness, His care, His provision in our every need. He wants us to find our “everything” in Him.
When the world doesn’t turn out the way we thought it would. When stock markets crash, deals go bad, and people leave us. When this life has stripped away our strength and health.
When we realize that He is all we have…
we will realize that He is all we will ever need.