Persevere with Joy

James 1:2-4 --Trials and Temptations

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,^[a] 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. (NIV)

Hello, dear readers!

Each new year, scores of us proclaim our goals for the year.  Like hand-held sparklers, we burst forth with light and energy.  Like sparklers, we fizzle out quickly.  Year after year.  

We ask ourselves, Why?

A FB friend posted this:  It is better to ask how rather than why.  The same can be said about who, or rather, Who.   

It is better to ask "how" and "Who" rather than "why." 

So, let's agree to put aside the why's of our annual fizzle.  Let's look at --

How this year can be different & Who is able to bring us to victory.  

Victory is a journey, and sometimes that journey is uphill.  Are you a walker, hiker, bicycler, or swimmer?  If, yes, you know that progress requires perseverance.  The same is true for any sport.  Day after sweaty day, you persevere to achieve your goals.  Eventually, you build up the right muscles and the right attitude.  You have grown as an athlete.  You are able to go further, with greater ease, than when you began.

Christians, God calls us to grow up,                                                                       be made whole, be joyful. 

You are not alone.  I am with you always.

Let's acknowledge the benefits of perseverance.  Each day of perseverance is a day of victory because holy perseverance builds muscles, literally and figuratively.  Holy perseverance, that is, journeying with God, changes attitude and outcome. Persevere with joy, holy joy that God freely gives.

       God brings all things to completion.

I have to confess something here.  A few years back, I began to notice that my new year's goals never included God.  Never included a focus on prayer, on study, on maturing as a Christian to bring glory to God in my life and in my service to God's world.  How about your goals?

Our God is an awesome God!  
Take that first step, second step, third step, and all those other steps toward maturity and completeness.  

Seek ye first the kingdom of God. The promise is made that if we seek it first, and its righteousness, all earthly wants will be supplied. (Matthew 6:33 b)

 Walk, run, hop, skip, journey with joy.   

Footnotes:

1. James 1:2 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family; also in verses 16 and 19; and in 2:1, 5, 14; 3:10, 12; 4:11; 5:7, 9, 10, 12, 19.  See BibleGateway.com @ http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+1%3A2-4&version=NIV 
2. People's New Testament Commentary, M. Eugene Boring, Fred B. Craddock, John Knox Press,  2004.