WHERE DIFFICULT ROADS LEAD

Today a local Christian radio station had as its status - "Difficult Roads lead to Beautiful Destinations."  Man, I have found that to be very very true. I never imagined that 29 years ago, when I chose my life verse, how much I would be put to the test by that verse. 

James 1:2-5 "2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind."

Here are a few things  I have learned:
     First thing about trials and difficult roads - we are to "Count it all Joy".  That has truly been the hardest thing!  Reminding myself that this difficulty - if not brought about by my sinful behavior - has been brought about to make me more like Christ.  I don't think like that in the moment as much as I need too.  I need to abide under it for a moment or two and allow the refining work of God to sanctify me in this trial.  Count it all joy!

Next - "When you meet (or face) trials of various kinds."  Not if, but when.  Church, they are and will and maybe are already trials here.  To many of us want to skip this part like we wanted to skip through our teen years to get to being a young adult or like we wanted to skip the ache years for the grown up years.  But notice in the text - one leads to another.  In our walk with Christ we are called to PRESS ON through difficult roads not find a way around them.  I am more and more troubled by the humanistic approach Christians try to take the easy road around trouble.  We tend to follow our hearts rather than pray and trust and press on.  We tend to tell other - do what is best for you - not really understanding that the pain is only temporary and we are meant to endure it to be like Jesus.

Then there is this - your testing produces something.  "the testing of your faith produces steadfastness…"  Steadfastness = Endurance.  Endurance is [hoop-om-on-ay'] "the fact or power of enduring an unpleasant or difficult process or situation without giving way."  Every one of our teachers in school did this to us.  Every one of our coaches and bosses put us under pressure to make us stronger.  In boot camp, Petty Officer Navidad did that to Company 74 when we were getting ready for our swim qualifications.  None of us enjoyed it, UNTIL we all passed the first time.  Weeks of endurance paid off when the real trial came.  Did you catch that - it took weeks of enduring.  What is the trial not of your own choosing that you have to endure today?  Maybe its a who a situation or a frustration?  PRESS ON through it. 



Finally - the end game.  What is the end game?  According to the text - "And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."  Do you see it there?  That you may be mature (PERFECT) and complete (WHO GOD WANTS YOU TO BE).  Let's face it church - we want that in our walk with Jesus.  He wants that for us too.  Mature believers.  Complete believers and I love this - "not lacking anything.(NIV)"  In the Greek - [li'-po] - not to be deficient, lagging or lacking; not failing or wanting of anything.  That is what I want - don't you?

PRESS ON through the trials church - PRESS ON!  Maturity and completeness awaits.