James 1:2-4 says, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
"Perseverance must finish its work..."
What does that mean? The Greek word here is hupomone which means 'steadfastness, constancy, endurance; the idea of being characteristically a man/woman who is not swerved from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith and piety by even the greatest trials and sufferings.'
In the context of liminal space, sometimes we find ourselves enduring, standing steady, and holding on tight so we won't swerve. I'm there. Trying to accept the emptiness and chaos when I'm a person of order and routine. Trying to release my 'self-constructed safety zone' (Hjalmarson).
Sometimes the best map will not guide you
You can't see what's round the bend,
Sometimes the road leads through dark places
Sometimes the darkness is your friend.
You can't see what's round the bend,
Sometimes the road leads through dark places
Sometimes the darkness is your friend.
Bruce Cockburn
Going all the way...
Where were you last night? The dark night of Jesus' betrayal many years ago was last night. His execution began, and ironically, it all started with the kiss from a friend. The irony that a relationship cultivated by one-on-one discussions in such intimate settings is gone. In the most human moments of Jesus' earthly life, he asked three friends to stay awake, stay close. The irony here..they fell asleep.
Christ has issued an invitation to me during my studies these past few weeks. Stay with me...finish the course. It is easy to follow Christ when ministries are being created and exciting meetings are called to order. "Exciting times are experiences when everything is as we hoped it would be. It is much harder to stay faithful (finish) in the midst of betrayal, violence, pain, struggle and death." Barton
What journey has the Lord asked you to complete? Jesus' invitation for me... to walk with him, staying awake and be alert to the lessons he has to teach me.
Christ has issued an invitation to me during my studies these past few weeks. Stay with me...finish the course. It is easy to follow Christ when ministries are being created and exciting meetings are called to order. "Exciting times are experiences when everything is as we hoped it would be. It is much harder to stay faithful (finish) in the midst of betrayal, violence, pain, struggle and death." Barton
What journey has the Lord asked you to complete? Jesus' invitation for me... to walk with him, staying awake and be alert to the lessons he has to teach me.
Love so amazing, so divine, demands my heart, my life, my all.
No comments:
Post a Comment